Prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children in Port Said City

Abstract EN

Background: The highest prevalence rates of childhood obesity have been observed in developed countries, however, its prevalence is increasing in developing countries as well.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children, aged from 6 to 12 years and to estimate risk factors of obesity and overweight, defined by body mass index (BMI).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Port Said city during the second term of school year 2010/2011.

The researcher took the anthropometric measurements inside the nurse’s room in the school and gave a questionnaire to the students to be answered by one of the child’s parents.

The questionnaire included questions related to socioeconomic status, life style (physical activity and eating habits) and family history of overweight and obesity.

Results: Eight hundred and fifty-two students participated in this study.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.7% and 13.5% respectively.

The rate of obesity was the highest at the age of 7– 8 years (grade 2) and decreased with an increase in age, while overweight increased with an increase in age to be the highest at the age of 9–10 (grade 4) and 10–11 (grade 5).

Socioeconomic class, faulty dietary habits, sedentary life, low level of physical activity and positive family history of overweight and/or obesity were significantly associated with student’s BMI.

Conclusion: This study found a relatively high prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 6–12 years in Port Said city.

Decreased rate of obesity with an increase in age in our study, signifies that faulty feeding habits were the highest at lower ages.