Obesity among Bahraini children and adolescents: Prevalence and associated factors

ABSTRACT

Obesity has been strongly linked to increased health risks and mortality in adults. Since childhood and adolescent obesity have a potential for adult obesity, it is important to identify its magnitude, associated factors and establish need-based primary preventive programs from early ages. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and its associated factors among school children. The study design was cross-sectional. A multistage sampling technique was chosen to select students from primary, intermediate and secondary public schools from the eleven populated regions of Bahrain. The sample consisted of 2594 students, aged 6-18 years. Data was collected on the socio-demographic characteristics, exercise pattern and sedentary behavior using a questionnaire. Height and weight measurements were taken. The prevalence of normal, overweight status and obesity was compared to CDC standards. The findings showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among girls [13.5%; 11.9%] and boys [9.1%; 12.3%]. Adolescent girls and boys [>/= 11 years] were more overweight/obese [30%; 23%] than their pre-adolescent [overweight/obese students spent significantly more time at the computer [>/= 7 hours/week] [p<0.05] and watching television [>/= 8 hours/week] [p<0.01] than the non-overweight. The logistic binary linear regression analysis showed that students from small-sized [persons] than large-sized families [>/= 11 persons], students exercising less frequently [adolescents compared to younger children were at greater risk of being overweight/obese [p<0.05]. Parental education failed to show a significant relationship with overweight/obesity status of children. A comparison of data of the present survey with earlier studies clearly indicates that the number of overweight children and adolescents has increased substantially during the past two decades. Students need to he encouraged for regular physical exercise and decrease the time spent on sedentary habits