Prevalence of obesity and overweight among the female students in basic school levels in Omdurman-Sudan

Abstract EN

-This study attempts to define obesity and overweight in Sudanese basic academic schoolgirl levels in Omdurman-Sudan.

The participants were 80 female students, age 5-13 years from grade 1st ; 4th ; 5th ; and 7th during the academic year 2006-2007.

Data was collected by direct interview with school girls and a consent form was given to their parents to allow their daughters to participate in the study.

Body weight in kilograms and height in meters were taken to determine body mass index (BMI).

Also, percentile of obesity was determined using a suitable growth reference for age and sex.

Data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) and presented in the form of tables.

Results revealed that the percentage of students at risk of obesity and overweight were particularly high (37.

5 %).

Also, this percentage was close to the percentage of normal weight (55 %).

The prevalence of underweight was 7.

5 %.

Also, the results showed that the prevalence of obesity and overweight was found significantly changed (p < 0.

01) in female children according to age.

The percentage of obesity and overweight among school girls were 26.

32 %, 39.

47 % and 43.

48 % in age groups of 5-7 years, 8-10 years, and 11-13 years respectively.