[Association of school children's overweight and obesity with maternal overweight and obesity in the rural areas]

Background and Aim: Childhood obesity is one of the most important health problems in developed and developing countries that may result from the parents' overweight. This study aimed to compare the status of obesity and overweight in the children of overweight or obese mothers with the children whose mothers were not overweight or obese

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 249 elementary-school children from Bijar, Kordestan, Iran were selected using simple random sampling. Children's food intake and physical activities and mothers' and children's anthropometric [weight and height] indices were measured by standard method. The relationship between overweight or obesity of the mothers with overweight or obesity of the children was assessed and analyzed by logistic regression

Results: Body mass index [P value < 0.01] and maternal age [P value<0.01] were significantly higher in the children of overweight or obese mothers compared to children whose mothers were not overweight or obese. No significant differences were found between the two groups of children in regard to energy intake, physical activity, and consumption of the main food groups. Overweight or obesity of the mothers significantly increased the risk of overweight or obesity in the children after adjustment for age, sex, physical activity, energy intake, and maternal age. [Odds ratio: 3.00, P value = 0.04]

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, overweight or obesity of the mother can be associated with the likelihood of overweight and obesity in the school age children in rural areas and this relationship is independent of energy intake, physical activity, and consumption of different food groups

[Overweight, obesity and some related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in Tehran, Iran]

To compare obesity, overweight and related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in the North and South areas of Tehran, the capital of Iran, in 2005. This cross-sectional and analytical study 210 adolescent girls, aged 14-17 years, from high schools in the North area of Tehran [n=105; high socio-economic level] and the South area [n=105; low socio-economic level] were selected by the two-step, cluster random sampling method. Demographic data, including mothers_ and fathers_ educational levels and parents_ jobs were gathered, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Food intake data were obtained by a one-day 24- hour recall and a one- day food record. Weight and height were measured based on standard methods and Body Mass 85 th >/= Index [BMI] were calculated. Overweight + obesity were defined as a BMI percentile of age - sex specific BMI. The prevalence of overweight +obesity was observed in 15.2% of the girls in the North area and 26.7% of the South area, the difference being significant [P= 0.001]. Mean of energy, fat and energy derived from fat were 1964 kcal, 72.0 gr and 34.1% in North area and 2288 kcal, 83.1 gr and 34.4% in South area, respectively. There was a significant correlation between BMI of the girls and mothers' literacy in the North area. Obesity + overweight were significantly correlated with mothers' job among girls in the South area. Evidence suggests that overweight and obesity in Tehran, especially among female adolescents of a low socioeconomic level, is a public health problem. It is suggested to design and implement nutritional intervention programs for adolescent girls, particularly in the low socio- economic areas

Familial risk factors of obesity in Neishabour school children

To determine obesity familial risk factors in school children in winter 2006. In a cross-sectional study 1471 students aged 6-12 years old selected by two stage cluster sampling. Height and weight of students and their mothers were measured and BMI was calculated. Obesity was defined as having a BMI >/= 95th percentile of Iranian reference. Thereafter, 114 pupils were selected as obese children and the control group was chosen from students having 15th /= 30 kg/m2= obese". Demographic questionnaire was completed by interviewing the mothers. Fifty five percent of obese pupils and 12.9% of control group had overweight mothers [P < 0.001]. There was a significant association between childhood obesity and mothers' age, parental occupation and education [P < 0.001]. Sixty eight percent of obese students had family history of obesity, while only 2.0% of control group had similar background [P < 0.001]. More than 21.1% of obese children were categorized as good economic status, but 2.0% of second group were in this rank. Family size was significantly different in two groups [P < 0.001]. In this study, mothers' obesity, family history of obesity, family size, economic status, mothers' age, parental education and occupation were the risk factors of obesity in Neishabour school children