2022, Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A
Childhood obesity and related factors among primary school children
Author(s): Al-Hakam Mohammed Fadhil, Maryam Kareem Al-Eqabi and Ghadaq Enad
Abstract: Childhood obesity is still a major public health problem that affects children of all ages throughout their lives. Despite increased treatments and research, the incidence of pediatric obesity remains high. The World Health Organization defines overweight as having a BMI more than or equal to 25, and obesity as having a BMI larger than or equal to 30. Children aged two and above with a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile on age-growth charts are deemed overweight; children with a BMI more than the 95th percentile are labelled obese.Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess childhood obesity and related factors among Baghdad primary school children, identifying the relationship between childhood obesity related factors of children's health behaviors, dietary habits, and daily physical activity with sociodemographic characteristics and estimating the relationship between childhood obesity and related factors, gender, parental socioeconomic status, and parental body mass index.Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Baghdad city from 1st October 2020 to 30th January 2021. This research was available for students in grades one through six. Children with chronic medical conditions, mental illnesses, or physical disabilities were not included in the research. The questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic variables, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, dietary habits, and physical activity. To investigate the relationship between childhood obesity and related factors, simple linear regression was used. T-test, ANOVA, and Spearman correlation were used to explore the relationship between explanatory factors and outcome variables.Results: The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of obese children was (37.52). While the mean BMI of fathers was (37.96) and the mean BMI of mothers was (37.48). (3.4%) of children were low, (53.3%) were moderate and (43.3%) were high by socioeconomic status. On the other hand, (88.3%), (95.8%) and (60%) of children weren’t play outside, skip meals, and drink sweet beverages, respectively. Regarding the dietary habits of children, (76.6%), (75.8%) and (80%) of them had not consumed enough high protein breakfast, fruits and vegetables, respectively. The mean of scores is low on all items of daily physical activity. Conclusion: Obesity is more likely in children with a moderate to high socioeconomic background. Obesity status in both mothers and fathers was linked to an increase in children's BMI.
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How to cite this article:
Al-Hakam Mohammed Fadhil, Maryam Kareem Al-Eqabi and Ghadaq Enad. Childhood obesity and related factors among primary school children. International Journal of Childhood and Development Disorders. 2022; 3(2): 10-16.
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