Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Saudi primary school students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia 2015

Abstract

Background: At present, obesity is considered a chronic disease which must be treated like any other medical condition, and if not treated it leads, insidiously, to the development of numerous diseases. It has an epidemic-like nature and is not only one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, Adolescence represents a sensitive period in the development of obesity, and obesity in adolescence is known to track into adulthood and be associated with several health problems. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and explore the association among the following variables: nutritional habits, physical activity, videogames, and the student perception towards obesity.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary school students in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia. Study population: 6th year primary school in private and public school in Tabuk city, sample size 200 school students in private and governmental schools involving male and female equally, firstly two schools for each gender were selected randomly and the whole classes of the selected schools were taken, data was collected through a self- administered validated questionnaire. Height and weight of each selected student were measured and BMI was calculated. We used WHO growth charts and definition - that based on widely different ethnic backgrounds and cultural settings.Results: 200 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the students and collected, giving a response rate of 100%. Their age ranged between 10 and 14 Years (Mean=11.96 years) and (SD=0.5 years). 50% were male and 50% were female, 99% were Saudi, their BMI ranged between 13 and 41.33 (Mean=23.34) and (SD=5.80 years). The prevalence of overweight among primary school students in Tabuk city, according to the CDC growth chart, was 15.5% and that of obesity was 22%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among male students were 13% and 17% compared to 18% and 27% among female students; respectively, higher prevalence was shown with reduced physical activities and higher total media time. Also there was a significant association with some related perceptions like (considering obesity as an illness, availability of family obesity and trial of losing weight). Conclusion: Our study concluded that there is apparent increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary private and public schools in Tabuk city and evidence based data on considerable associated factors.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(3) 2016 p.329-334