School Food Environment, Food Consumption, and Indicators of Adiposity Among Students 7‐14 Years in Bogotá, Colombia

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Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Colombia, the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children has increased by 26% in the past 5 years. School food environment may be an important contributor and offers opportunities for effective intervention.METHODS: We conducted a cross‐sectional study among 7‐ to 14‐year‐old schoolchildren from 10 schools in Bogotá, Colombia. We examined the school food environment and the relationship of individual‐level consumption, and physical activity with overweight/obesity, measured by body mass index and percentage body fat.RESULTS: Schools with a restaurant/store were characterized as having excessive unhealthy foods. In the sample of 714 schoolchildren, 17.5% were overweight and 10.5% were obese. In multivariate models, boys had significantly increased odds of being overweight/obese (odds ratio [OR]: 1.53; p = .01) as compared to girls. Schoolchildren who consumed a greater number of energy drinks (OR = 1.82; p = .04), and those who spent more than 3 hours per schoolday watching TV (OR = 1.53; p < .01) had increased odds of being overweight/obese.CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 4 schoolchildren were overweight/obese, with boys, energy drink consumers, and those with low physical activity having increased risk. School‐based interventions focused on improving food options and providing health behavior education may be effective to reduce overweight among children in Bogotá and similar settings.
Funding Information
  • Administrative Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Bogotá, Colombia (Colciencias)
  • Research Office at Universidad de los Andes

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