Overweight and obesity among the boys of primary public schools of Baish City in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background: Overweight and obesity are important modifiable risk factors for various noncommunicable diseases. The link between obesity, poor health outcomes, and all-cause mortality is well established. Overweight and obesity during childhood increases the likelihood of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, obstructive sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis more early in younger age groups. Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and some correlates of overweight and obesity in the study population. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted during October 2017 among 300 boys of primary public schools from Baish City of Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Weight and height were measured using standard tools. The WHO Z-score reference values of body mass index-for-age were used for the screening of overweight and obesity. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 19.0). Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 10.1% and 12.4%, respectively, among the study participants. There was a significant difference in the overweight and obesity between urban and rural study population. Overweight and obesity was found higher among children who took frequently junk food. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity was substantially prevalent among primary schoolboys with a significant rural–urban difference.