Prevalence of Childhood Overweight, Obesity and its Associated Factors in Elementary School Children in Dire Dawa Town, Eastern Ethiopia 2016
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction: The double burden of malnutrition in developing countries is a challenge to people
health. Childhood obesity is related to an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes,
respiratory disease and orthopedic disorders during childhood as well as its adverse effects in
adulthood. Obesity in children is increasing worldwide. More than 10 percent children 5 to 17
years of age is obese.
Objective: The overall purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood
overweight, obesity and its associated factors in elementary school children of Dire Dawa town
Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was conducted in Dire Dawa town of Eastern Ethiopia from March 1st to 30th,
2016. School based cross-sectional study design was applied. Participants were selected by
multistage sampling. Data was collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaires, face to
face interview and weight and height measurements through trained eight data collectors. Data
were coded and entered in epi-data version 3.1 and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with
childhood overweight and obesity. Statistical significance declared at p-value less than 0.05.
Result: A total of 448 children and parents pairs were included in the study. The prevalence of
overweight and obesity was (14.7% with 95% CI: 11.70, 18.02) and (5.8% with 95% CI: 3.61,
8.00) respectively. Significant association with overweight and obesity was observed among
private school (AOR= 3.44, 95% CI: 1.39, 8.49), high family socioeconomic class (AOR=16.88,
95%CI: 6.48, 23.97), sweet foods preference (AOR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.04, 5.12), physical inactivity
or not engaging in vigirous sport exercise (AOR=3.83, 95%CI: 1.50, 9.80) , sedentary life style
like spent free time in viewing television (AOR=3.57, 95%CI: 1.62, 7.86) and play computer game
(AOR=4.59, 95%CI: 1.37, 15.37) for more than 6 hours, sleeping habit in afternoon (AOR= 2.58,
95%CI: 1.00, 6.66) and not having close friends(AOR=2.98, 95%CI: 1.43, 6.24).
Conclusion and Recommendations: One out of seven children were overweight and one out of
seventeen were obese.Therefore more attention should be given to this childhood problem at each
level of stakeholder. Collaboration of the health, education and NGO sectors should be initiated.
Creating awareness of the community on healthy diet, physical activates and reducing sedentary
behavior through school and public media and other methods should be given emphasis.
Keywords: Obesity, Overweight, Children, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
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Keywords
Obesity, Overweight, Children, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia