ABSTRACT
Background: Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents is a major public health concern and their prevalence is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate in both developing and developed countries.
Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of 1218-year-old schooled adolescents in Fez, Morocco, and to investigate the possible risk factors associated with adolescent obesity.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2014 and March 2015 in public secondary schools. Data were collected from a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Weight was classified according to the reference curves of WHO [2007]. Data on 1818 adolescents aged 1218 years were used.
Results: The prevalence of overweight was 7.69% and that of obesity was 3.41%. Overweight and obesity in adolescents were positively correlated to having a father [odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, P = 0.008] or a mother with higher education [OR = 1.56, P = 0.009]. High family income [OR = 2.115, P = 0.028], motorized transport to school [adjusted OR = 1.77, P = 0.017], using a computer for > 4 h/day [OR: 2.56, P = 0.004] and frequent consumption of soda and soft drinks [OR = 1.42, P = 0.04] were also correlated with an increased risk for overweight and obesity.
Conclusions: This study provides useful findings that could be elaborated on and expanded in studies on overweight and obesity among adolescents in Morocco