Abstract:
The research focused on 600 healthy children aged between 1 and 24 months, chosen randomly. For each participant, information on the child and household characteristics were collected via questionnaire. The children's body weight was assessed using the body mass index for age (BMI/Age) ratio, based on height and weight measurements. To categorize the children, the World Health Organization's (WHO) pediatric references from 2006 were used. The children's calcium intake was determined using the 24-hour recall method. Finally, a blood sample was taken to determine the calcium level.
The study found that 31.5% of the total population were overweight. Out of all the children affected, 17% have overweight and 14.5% have obesity. A low intake of calcium is considered a major risk factor in the development of overweight and obesity in children. Studies have revealed that there is an inverse relationship between the body size of children and the level of calcium intake and blood calcium levels. Moreover, those who are overweight and obese have the lowest mean calcium intake and blood calcium levels in the population. Further evidence suggests that BMI increases significantly with decreasing calcium intake and blood calcium levels. Finally, the dramatic increase in the prevalence of pediatric obesity found in our population, alongside insufficient calcium intake, constitutes a significant public health problem and therefore justifies the implementation of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies
Keywords: calcium intake, calcemia, overweight, obesity, children.
