Abstract
BackgroundAfrican specific studies on the factors associated with the growth pattern of children are needed to guide evidence and develop effective population-based interventions that can be tailored to the unique African context.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the socio-economic correlates of body mass index (BMI) of primary and secondary school children in Ebonyi State, which is situated in south-eastern Nigeria.MethodologyThis was a quantitative, cross-sectional study that utilised clustering and stratified sampling techniques to select 1000 learners from primary and secondary schools located in Abakaliki local government area. Apart from a questionnaire, a Mettler weighing scale was also used for data collection. A generalised linear model was used to test the association between the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and their BMI.ResultBMI was positively related to female gender but negatively related to age and level of education. The mode of cooking, who the participants live with and how they get to school also predicted changes in BMI. Other variables like mother’s occupation and family’s mode of transport were also associated with BMI changes while father’s level of education, mother’s level of education, father’s occupation and the type of residence did not have any statistical relationship with BMI.ConclusionThe present study shows that the BMI of school children is influenced by the socio-demographic characteristics surrounding them. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the socio-economic standing of families in this community.
Highlights
In different parts of the world, especially in developed countries, studies have shown that both the economic and social context of a child, including a school-age child, are associated with the body mass index (BMI).[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] McKay et al.[1] conducted a survey to examine the influence of economic and social context in relation to abnormal weight and the result showed that both social and economic indicators were predictors of having an above-normal BMI
The result of this study shows that children whose mothers work as petty traders and those who live with both parents are less likely to have high BMI
This study found a high level of low BMI among study participants
Summary
In different parts of the world, especially in developed countries, studies have shown that both the economic and social context of a child, including a school-age child, are associated with the body mass index (BMI).[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] McKay et al.[1] conducted a survey to examine the influence of economic and social context in relation to abnormal weight and the result showed that both social and economic indicators were predictors of having an above-normal BMI. In a study conducted in the United States,[2] children from lower-income families had higher prevalence of obesity compared with children from higher-income families. This inverse association was observed among the minority groups in America, such as the Indian, Pacific Island and African children. Musingo and Wang[10] did a study in which they analysed the eating habits of college students in the United States according to socio-demographic characteristics. The result showed that there were some significant differences in cooking habits, eating fruits and vegetables, residential status of students and socio-demographic characteristics. African specific studies on the factors associated with the growth pattern of children are needed to guide evidence and develop effective population-based interventions that can be tailored to the unique African context.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callMore From: African journal of primary health care & family medicine
Disclaimer: 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.
