Familial risk factors of obesity in Neishabour school children

ABSTRACT

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 school and classroom. Twelve non-obese students left the study because of not willing to corporate [n=102 students]. Mothers were categorized based on BMI to 3 groups "<25.0 kg/m2 = normal weight", "25.0-29.9 kg/m2= overweight", " >/= 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