Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Children Under 35 Months, El Salvador 2021

Abstract

Introduction. Overweight and obesity are considered global public health challenges, affecting not only adults but also children. According to the World Health Organization, from 1975 to 2016. Each year a steady increase has been noted in the Latin American and Caribbean region, from 6.2 % in 1990 to 7.5 % in 2021. In addition, it is estimated that 3 out of 10 children and adolescents in the region are overweight. Objective. To identify the factors associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children under 35 months of age. Methodology. This is an analytical cross-sectional study based on secondary analysis of a database extracted from the National Health Survey, El Salvador 2021. Results. The study included 2027 children under 35 months, where most of the cases that presented overweight and obesity were male and not having received breastfeeding at any time since birth are 6 six times more likely to present overweight and obesity (ORP = 6.5; 95% CI 4.2- 10.1), Conclusion. Most of the cases with overweight and obesity were observed in the urban area, with a predominance of males. In addition, most of the children had not been breastfed from birth to the age of the study.