Aranceta, JavierPérez-Rodrigo, CarmenSerra-Majem, LluisBellido, DiegoLópez de la Torre, MartínFormiguera, XavierMoreno, Basilio2012-07-172012-07-172007-09-28Aranceta J, Pérez-Rodrigo C, Serra-Majem L, Bellido D, López de la Torre M et al. Prevention of overweight and obesity: a Spanish approach. Public Health Nutr. 2007 Oct;10(10A):1187-93.1368-9800http://hdl.handle.net/10668/413Background. Obesity is considered a major public health issue in most developed countries nowadays. This paper provides an overview of current population data available in Spain and the approach to develop preventive strategies in the country. Methods. Review of population data available is based on individually measured weight and height as well as determinants. On this basis, the approach used in the country to develop preventive strategies is discussed. Results. According to the DORICA study, the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg m−2) is 15.5% in Spanish adults aged 25–60 years (13.2% in men and 17.5% in women). Obesity rates are higher among women aged 45 years and older, low social class, living in semi-urban places. Population estimates for the prevalence of obesity in Spanish children and young people based on the enKid study are 13.9% for the whole group. In this study, overweight and obesity is related to absence of breastfeeding, low consumption of fruit and vegetables, high consumption of cakes, buns, softdrinks and butchery products, low physical activity levels and a positive association with time spent watching TV. In 2005, the Spanish Ministry of Health jointly with the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition launched the multifaceted NAOS strategy for nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of obesity. The important role of the family and the school setting as well as the responsibility of the Health Administration and Pediatric Care in the prevention of obesity is highlighted in the document. The need for environmental actions is recognised. The PERSEO programme, a multicomponent school-based intervention project is part of the strategy currently in place. Conclusion. Obesity is a public health issue in Spain. A national multifaceted strategy was launched to counteract the problem. Environmental and policy actions are a priority. Young children and their families are among the main target groups.enAdolescenteAdultoFactores de EdadÍndice de Masa CorporalLactancia MaternaNiñoDietaEjercicioFemeninoPolítica de SaludHumanosMasculinoMediana EdadPolítica NutricionalFenómenos Fisiológicos de la NutriciónObesidadSobrepesoPrevalenciaFactores de RiesgoFactores SexualesEspaña /epidemiologíaPopulation StudiesDeterminant factorsPreventive strategiesMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::AdolescentMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::AdultMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Environment and Public Health::Public Health::Epidemiologic Factors::Age FactorsMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physiological Phenomena::Body Constitution::Body Weights and Measures::Body Mass IndexMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physiological Phenomena::Nutritional Physiological Phenomena::Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena::Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena::Breast FeedingMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::ChildMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physiological Phenomena::Nutritional Physiological Phenomena::DietMedical Subject Headings::Disciplines and Occupations::Human Activities::ExerciseMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::FemaleMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Care Economics and Organizations::Policy::Social Control Policies::Public Policy::Health PolicyMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::MaleMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::Middle AgedMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Care Economics and Organizations::Policy::Social Control Policies::Public Policy::Health Policy::Nutrition PolicyMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physiological Phenomena::Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physiological Phenomena::Body Constitution::Body Weights and Measures::Body Size::Body Weight::Overweight::ObesityMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Signs and Symptoms::Body Weight::OverweightMedical Subject Headings::Information Science::Information Science::Data Collection::Vital Statistics::Morbidity::PrevalenceMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Environment and Public Health::Public Health::Epidemiologic Factors::Causality::Risk FactorsMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Environment and Public Health::Public Health::Epidemiologic Factors::Sex FactorsMedical Subject Headings::Geographicals::Geographic Locations::Europe::Spainresearch article17903329open access10.1017/S13689800070006991475-2727