Is Food Intake Associated with Pre-Adolescent Obesity? An Observational Study in Metromanila, Philippines

There are reports of increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in Asian children and adolescents. This has been linked to the increasing availability and affordability of fast foods in place of traditional diets. A well-powered sample of pre-adolescent children was randomly selected from public and private schools in Metromanila, Philippines. Their height and weight were measured using standard protocols. Body mass index was calculated and International Obesity Taskforce age-gender-specific classifications were applied to classify normal weight, overweight and obesity. Children completed a Filipino-validated version of the Health Behaviour in School Aged Children-Food Frequency Questionnaire for the previous week. Food group choices and frequency of intake were evaluated using a new weighted composite score. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in this sample was higher than the Filipino national figures. More girls than boys were classified as having normal weight. There was no age influence on food group choices; however girls ate significantly more fruit and vegetables than boys. Normal weight children consumed significantly more milk and milk products than fatter children. This is the first known report on the association between food intake and obesity in Filipino pre-adolescents, measured using a Filipino-specific rule. Understanding the relationship between food choices and childhood fatness is an important step in combating Filipino childhood obesity.