Childhood Obesity in Primary Health Care Centers in Al-Khobar City, Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem with a rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide. Development of effective prevention strategies mandates that primary health care [PHC] physicians recognize populations and individuals at risk. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in childhood obesity in some Primary Health Care Centers [PHCCs] in Al-Khobar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA], 2006. Data were collected using an interview questionnaire for the early detection of childhood obesity and associated risk factors and by family file review of 456 children in order to assess the PHC physicians’ performance. The results of the present study revealed that the prevalence of obesity and overweight among the screened children attending the study PHCCs was 19.7% and 15.4%, respectively. Family history of obesity and non-practicing unstructured physical play at home were found to be independently associated with increased childhood obesity. There is no statistical significant association between the children’s classification according to their Body Mass Index [BMI] and any item of their history of risk factors, physical activity, and nutritional habits except for family history of obesity and non-practicing unstructured physical play at home. Poor performance of PHC physicians in the study facilities was noticed as the BMI percentiles were not calculated for all the screened children and childhood overweight and obesity was not diagnosed at all despite of the availability of growth charts. Therefore, screening for childhood obesity should be performed by family physician during their routine daily activity. Pre-service training and continuous medical education to all health team members concerning childhood obesity should be performed aiming at improving knowledge, changing attitudes, and having better practices.