Abstract
BackgroundChildhood obesity is an emerging public health problem globally. Although previously a problem of high-income countries, overweight and obesity is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries. This paper explores the factors associated with childhood obesity and overweight in Uganda using data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) of 2016.MethodsWe used Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 4338 children less than 5 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants and data were collected using validated questionnaires. Overweight and obesity were combined as the primary outcome. Children whose BMI z score was over two were considered as overweight while those with a BMI z score greater than three were considered as obese. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with obesity and overweight among children under 5 years of age in Uganda.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight and obesity was 5.0% (217/4338) (95% CI: 4.3–5.6), with overweight at 3.9% (168/4338: 95% CI: 3.2–4.3) and obesity at 1.1% (49/4338: 95% CI: 0.8–1.5). Mother’s nutritional status, sex of the child, and child’s age were associated with childhood obesity and overweight. Boys were more likely to be overweight or obese (aOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.64) compared to girls. Children who were younger (36 months and below) and those with mothers who were overweight or obese were more likely to have obesity or overweight compared to those aged 49–59 months and those with underweight mothers respectively. Children from the western region were more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those that were from the North.ConclusionThe present study showed male sex, older age of the children, nutritional status of the mothers and region of residence were associated with obesity and overweight among children under 5 years of age.
Highlights
Childhood obesity is an emerging public health problem globally
This study provides evidence on the factors associated with childhood obesity and overweight in Uganda from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) conducted in 2016
Two previous studies showed similar findings with this study where the risk of childhood obesity was increased in cases of maternal overweight/ obesity both before and during pregnancy, which predisposed them to obesity in later life [30, 31]
Summary
Previously a problem of high-income countries, overweight and obesity is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries. The risk of overweight or obesity has been shown to be more prevalent among children attending affluent primary schools as compared to those in rural public schools [17, 18]. This could partly be explained by limited physical activity, excessive sugar consumption and uncensored food adverts that promote obesogenic diets for children in such schools [12, 15, 19]
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