Abstract
This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the nutritional status of Al-Baha elementary male schoolchildren. Multi-stage probabilities proportional to size sampling technique were used to select the study units. 725(16.4%) schoolchildren ranging in ages from 5 to15 years randomly selected from 15 schools. The elementary schoolchildren were interviewed using a guided questionnaire (Structured interview) to gather information. Detecto’s ProMed 6129 Waist-High Digital Health Care Scale USA-manufactured was used to measure the height to the nearest 0.1 cm and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 18.0 to calculate frequencies, percentage and to test the significance of different variables. Children’s BMI Group Calculator - Metric Version (XLS-3.6 Mb) also was used to compute Body Mass Index - for-age (BMI %ile). The results of this study shows that schoolchildren in Al-Baha were suffering from both ends of the spectrum of nutritional problems (obesity and under-nutrition). 10% (72) of Al-Baha elementary school boys were found to be underweight, 11% (80) of the school boys were overweight and 15% (109) were obese. Also it was found that; the overweight and obese schoolchildren were found to spend more hours on activities which reduce the physical requirements of daily life and have encouraged sedentary lifestyle compared to schoolchildren who were underweight. The association between BMI %ile of Al-Baha schoolchildren and times periods which was spent on these activities (TV watching hours, computer or other devices hours, and sleeping hours per day) were statistically not significant except with studying and reading hours. Although the BMI %ile and decrease in physical activity were not statistically significant as it appear to be influenced by the frequency of eating behaviors and school health education in many disciplines of Al-Baha schoolchildren. Urgent intervention by activating comprehensive school health programmers is recommended to change sedentary activities and eating behaviors among schoolchildren to control nutritional status and its consequence on health problems.
Highlights
The goal of nutritional assessment in childhood is to identify and prevent nutritional disorders such as malnutrition and overweight
This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional status of Al-Baha elementary male schoolchildren, to assess the nutritional status and determine the dietary habits and the factors associated with underweight, normal and overweight or obese
Body mass index percentile was used as an index of nutritional status of the child
Summary
The goal of nutritional assessment in childhood is to identify and prevent nutritional disorders such as malnutrition and overweight. The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate in both developing and developed countries. It has become a serious epidemic health problem, estimated to be the fifth leading cause of mortality at global level [2]. WHO global estimates from 2008, 1.5 billion adults, 20 and older, were overweight Of these over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese. 65% of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. 65% of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kill more people than underweight (this includes all highincome and most middle-income countries)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
