Dietary Patterns among Overweight / Obese School Children of District of Constantine (Algeria): A Longitudinal Study

Background We determined the changes in the incidence of overweight/obesity ina population of schoolchildren, aged from 7 to 11 years, in the district of Constantine (Algeria) during 2010 and 2013. We alsoidentified the eating patterns in these children in a follow-up study. Methods We recorded the age, weight and height of recruited children (n=599). The study included aqualitative food frequency questionnaire to assess usual dietary intakes at break-fast, lunch and dinner. The weight status of these children was determined as per WHO references of 2007. Factor analysis was used for identifying major dietary patterns. Results The incidence of overweight/obesity in school children was 34.7 % in 2010; it was reduced to 27.1 % in 2011 and to 26.4 % in 2013. However, the incidence of obesity alone increased at the end of 3rd year. The overweight and obese children took the same break-fast during the course of 3 years. However, there was a progressive decrease in the consumption of milk, during break-fast time, by overweight (15.4 % in 2010, 14.9 % in 2011 and 4.7 % in 2013) and obese children (13.2 % in 2010, 11.5 % in 2011 and 6.1 % in 2013). As regards lunch, we observed a decrease in eating habits in 3 years both in overweight (17.1 % in 2010, 13.9 % in 2011, 9.30 % in 2013) and obese children (11 % in 2010, 14.80 % in 2011 and 9.60 % in 2013). During the 3 years, for dinner, overweight children exhibited an increase in its consumption (0.90 % in 2010, 2 % in 2011 and 2.40 % 2013). On the contrary, the obese children showed a progressive decrease in the feeding habits for dinner (3.30 % in 2010, 1.60 % in 2011 and 0.90 % in 2013). Obese children exhibited a preference for high energy density food composed of sweets, chocolate, chips, biscuits and cakes. Conclusions Childhood obesity has increased over the last three years. A perturbation in the eating patterns may contribute to energy imbalance and consequently to the incidence of obesity.