World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF OBESITY AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN AL-KUT CITY

Naseer Abd Ulkareem*, Intithar Humaish, Wasnaa Hadi Abdullah, Haider Nadhim Abdaljabbar and
Hussain Alasaffar

ABSTRACT

Background: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Childhood obesity continues to increase in prevalence, this will lead to increases in adult overweight and obesity together with the consequent health problems. Hence the development of effective prevention programs in childhood is important. This, in turn, depends on the identification of modifiable risk factors for childhood overweight and obesity. Aim: the objective of our study to determine the prevalence and the most potential risk factors for development of obesity among students of primary schools. Methods: The cross-sectional study carried on 50 obese and overweight primary school children in Wasit Governorate Schools through a paper questionnaire, as well as through social media platforms by an electronic questionnaire during the period from January to May 2021 and depending on Body mass index-for-age percentiles on the growth chart. Overweight is defined as being above the 85th percentile but below the 95th percentile, while obesity is defined as being above the 95th percentile for children. Result: A total of 50 obese and overweight child participated in this study, about 44(88%) were obese while 6(12%) were overweight, and most of them were females 26(52%), also 22(44%) of them on exclusive breast feeding in their first year of life ,48(96%) of their mothers didn’t suffer from diabetes during pregnancy ,and about 34(68%) of the participants didn’t do any daily physical activity while 48(96%) watch TV for more than 8 hours daily ,we also found most of them(38%) always eat snacks and 21(42%) sometimes eat fast food ,in this study mean of child age is 10.1, mean of mother age 38 and for father was 44.4.about 25(50%) of mothers were obese and 21(42%) of fathers were obese ,about 31(62%) of mothers and 39(78%) of fathers were employed ,we found that 24(48%) of children were obese and have obese mothers While 19(38%) of them have obese fathers but both finding not in statistic significant correlation. Conclusion: Prevalence of Obesity in primary schools children is on the increase and mostly in female. eating fast food and snacks a lot, low physical activity and watching TV and mobile for social media more than 8 hours daily are the most important risk factors for childhood obesity. Also, the obesity of the father and the mother has a great role in the development of obesity in their children, whether it is genetic or lifestyles causes.

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