Neighbourhood environment and childhood obesity: exploratory analyze in Aveiro’s district

Abstract

In the epidemiology of obesity, although recent researches in the field of genetic highlight the importance of the genetic components to individual susceptibility, environmental factors show a more pronounced effect. This socioecological perspective results from an abrupt increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide over a short period of time, suggesting an explanation that is not solely, or primarily, of genetic nature. This paper aims to assess the impact of environmental factors on school-age children’s body mass index residents in Aveiro’s district. The results revealed a significant influence of the parental perception of social environment attributes, namely the perception of insecurity in the local community, on overweight and obesity.