Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents: A cross-sectional study in urban area of Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity constitute a mounting global public health concern in middle to lower socioeconomic countries like Nepal. The contemporary shifts in nutrition patterns and swift urbanization have introduced overweight and obesity as an additional challenge to the persistently prevalent issue of under nutrition among adolescents. Many low- and middle-income countries are facing a dual burden of disease, struggling to address both under nutrition and over nutrition. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among late adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on two public and two private schools of Tarkeshwor municipality of Kathmandu, Nepal. A random sample of 366 school going students aged 16-19 years and grade 11 and 12 were selected in the Tarkeshwor municipality of Kathmandu, Nepal. Cluster sampling technique was used to reach the respondents. STEPS survey questionnaire, National sleep foundation questionnaire, 24-hour dietary recall were used as data collection tools. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 16.7% and 10.7% respectively. Factors associated with overweight and obesity included being female (AOR: 1.99,95% CI: 1.21-3.26), junk food intake per week (AOR: 2.73, 95% C.I: 1.34-5.58), and absence of play yard at home (AOR: 2.36, 95% C.I: 1.59-4.09). However, vegetable intake per week (AOR: 0.42, 95% C.I: 0.13-0.80) has been found to be associated with significant reduction of overweight and obesity. Conclusion: Female in gender, junk food and absence of play yard at home were found to be contributing to the overweight and obesity in Nepal. Raising awareness about the negative effects of junk food, promoting healthy diets, implementing policies are key to prevention.