Epidemiologic status of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Yanji City of Jilin Province and analysis on their influencing factors

Runhao JIN

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate the status of overweight/obesity of the children and adolescents in Yanji City in 2016 and related lifestyles, and to clarify the influencing factors of overweight/obesity.

Methods:

A census method was used to investigate the heights and weights of 42 132 children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years old in urban area of Yanji City, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Using stratified cluster random sampling method and questionnaire survey, a total of 1 523 children and adolescents aged 10-14 years old were enrolled to investigate dietary habits. The standard developed by Chinese Obesity Work Group was used to screen the children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Using Logistic regression and mediating effect analysis method, the influencing factors of overweight/obesity were screened.

Results:

In 2016, the total detection rate of overweight and obesity of the children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years old in urban area of Yanji City were 16.7% and 18.4%, respectively; the total detection rate of overweight and obesity was 35.0%. The detection rates of overweight and obesity in the boys (18.6%, 22.0%) were higher than those in the girls (14.7%, 14. 4%) (P<0. 01). The detection rates of overweight in the boys in each age group from 7 to 13 years old were higher than those in the girls at the same age (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01), and the detection rates of obesity in the boys in each age group were higher than those in the girls (14. 4%) at the same age (P<0. 01). The detection rate of overweight at the boys peaked at 12 years old and the obesity detection rates were higher in the boys aged from 6 to 10 years old (23. 8% - 25. 6%); the detection rates of obesity during the ages of 11 to 17 years old were gradually decreased with the age increasing. Eating barbecue food more than 3 times a week (boys OR = l. 767, P=0. 010, 95%CI =1. 148-2. 719; girls OR = 2.205, P=0.002, 95% Cl = 1. 327-3. 664) and dieting to lose weight (boys OR=2. 113, P<0.001, 95 % Cl = 1. 456-3. 065; girls; OR = 2.128, P<0.001, 95%CI = 1.430-3. 167) increased the risk of overweight/obesity in the children and adolescents, and eating sweet snacks 3 times or more a week (boys; OR = 0.359, P< 0.001, 95% Cl = 0. 226-0. 573; girls; OR = 0.324, P< 0.001, 95%CI=0.186-0.565) and daily meals on time (boys; OR = 0. 683, P=0. 028, 95%CI =0. 486-0. 960; girls OR = 0. 624, P=0. 016, 95%CI=0. 424-0. 916) reduced the risk of overweight/obesity. Self-evaluation on body type had a full mediating effect between overweight and obesity and daily meals on time.

Conclusion:

The detection rate of overweight and obesity among the children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years old in Yanji City is at a relatively high level. Dietary habits and dieting are the major factors affecting overweight and obesity.