The prevalence of overweight and obesity among 12-15 year old males in military-affiliated schools in Jordan

Abstract EN

Objectives : to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in males aged 12–15 years as part of a screening program of public schools in Jordan.

Methods : data collection took place in a three week period during the school year 2011-2012 as part of a screening program conducted by the Royal Medical Services in the military affiliated schools in Jordan.

Students from schools located in Amman, Zarqa and Eastern parts of Jordan, which constitute 26% of the total population of 12-15 year old males in military affiliated schools in Jordan, were screened.

Weight was measured to the nearest kilogram, and height was measured to the nearest centimetre.

Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated.

The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results : the data of 998 students was available for analysis, all were males aged 12– 15 years.

The mean BMI was 20.54 (95 % confidence interval 20.25–20.82) standard deviation 4.57.

Overweight as defined by BMI of 25–29.9 was present in 101 students (10.2 %), and obesity in 35 students (3.5 %).

Conclusion : tThe prevalence of overweight in this cohort was 10.2 % and obesity is 3.5 % which compares favourably to international estimates at this age group.

Further studies on different cohorts or age groups are needed.