Adiposity and muscle strength level in pre-scholars according to the educational level and socio-demographic characteristics of their parents.

Lorena Paredes, Isabel Obando, Marlys Leal, Cristian Alvarez

The educational level of the adult population is related to obesity, but there is little knowledge regar ding the relationship of parents' educational level with the obesity and muscle strength of Chilean pre-school children. To describe the levels of adiposity and muscular strength of pre schoolers, according to the educational level and socio-demographic characteristics of their parents. Descriptive, cross-sectional study with participation of pre-schoolers from kindergartens and their parents (n = 99). Variables studied were a) socio-demographic (survey with 4 items), b) anthropometry (weight, height, weight/height ratio, weight/height-z, and body mass index), c) body composition (fat mass in kg and %, muscle mass), and d) muscle strength (hand grip muscle strength). The association between the above factors and the educational level of the parents [mother or father] of "low" [Low-EL] or "high" educational level [High-EL] were analy sed. There were significant differences between the weight/height according to the parents' educational level (father Low-EL; 0.088 ± 0.170 vs High-EL -0.060 ± 0.163, P = 0.024), and in the percentage of fat mass (father Low-EL; 30.8 ± 0.8 vs High-EL; 28.7 ± 0.9%, P = 0.040). In the rest of the obesity markers, there were no significant differences according to the parents' educational level nor in strength and muscle mass. Pre-school children of parents with low educational level show significantly higher values of weight/height and percentage of fat mass than those peers with parents with high educational level. These findings require further and more complex research to be corroborated.