Abstract
BackgroundChildhood obesity has become an important public health problem in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the relationship between self discipline and obesity in Bangkok school children.MethodsA case control study was conducted. 140 cases (obese children) and 140 controls (normal weight children) were randomly chosen from grades 4-6 students in 4 Bangkok public schools. Questionnaire responses regarding general characteristics and child self-discipline were obtained from children and their parents.ResultsSelf discipline in eating habits, money management and time management were reported at significantly lower levels among the obese group (p < 0.05). After controlling all other variables, it was revealed that the ranking of factors associated with obesity by adjusted odds ratio (OR) were low self-discipline in managing expenses (3.1), poor home environment (3.0,), moderate self-discipline in time management (2.9), television viewing time ≥2 hours/day (2.6), an obese father (2.2), and an obese mother (1.9).ConclusionsIt was recommended that parents and teachers participate in child self-discipline guidance, particularly with regard to eating habits, money management and time management in a supportive environment that both facilitates prevention of obesity and simultaneously develops a child's personal control.
Highlights
Childhood obesity has become an important public health problem in Thailand
“Are there any differences in self-discipline among obese children compared to children of normal weight?” This research aimed to determine the relationship between self discipline with regard to eating habits, money management, time management and child obesity
There was a significant relationship in weight status between father, mother and their children (OR = 2.2, 2.3; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.1-3.3, 1.2-3.3)
Summary
Childhood obesity has become an important public health problem in Thailand. The prevalence of obese children aged 6-11 years has more than doubled since the 1960s. Results from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicated that 15.3 percent of children aged 6-11 years were overweight [2]. In Thailand, a nutritional survey was conducted in Bangkok primary schools between 1992 and 1994 involving 2,885 student respondents. The results showed that obesity prevalence rates had increased from 25.9% to 31.5% in demonstration schools, 25.7% to 28.1% in private schools, 23.3% to 27.4% in government schools, and 11.2% to 14.6% in Bangkok Metropolitan schools[3]. Childhood obesity had become an important public health problem in Thailand, especially in big cities such as Bangkok
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.
