Assessment of the BMI among 8–12-year-old School Students Stratified by Socioeconomic Status from Multan, Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Addressing a gap in existing research, this study investigates the correlation between socioeconomic status and body mass index among 8-to-12-year-old in Multan, Pakistan. It offers insights into obesity trends in a developing country context, highlighting economic disparities' role in childhood obesity. This cross-sectional study, a component of the PAK-IPPL project focusing on Multan, was conducted during the 2020-2021 academic year across higher secondary schools in Multan division. We employed strati􀅫ied random sampling for participant selection. Using Cochran's formula, the sample size was calculated to be 1360 across three divisions, with 455 participants speci􀅫ically from Multan. Anthropometric data were collected to calculate body mass index, and analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 22, encompassing descriptive statistics, Independent samples t-tests, chi-squared tests, ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD test. The study revealed no signi􀅫icant gender differences in age, height, body weight, and body mass index among the children. However, boys showed signi􀅫icantly higher waist circumferences than girls (60.29 ± 9.55 cm vs. 57.38 ± 8.03 cm, p < 0.05). SES was found to signi􀅫icantly in􀅫luence body weight and Body Mass Index, with higher SES linked to increased values. Notably, children from higher SES backgrounds had an average weight of 35.31 kg (± 8.84) and BMI of 18.06 kg/m² (± 3.80). The combined effect of SES, gender, and age accounted for approximately 14% of the variance in childhood obesity. Positive correlations were observed between body mass index and weight, and waist circumference, varying according to SES and weight categories. The study highlights a signi􀅫icant correlation between higher SES and increased body weight and BMI, underscoring the importance of socioeconomic factors in understanding and combating childhood obesity. These 􀅫indings call for targeted public health initiatives that account for socioeconomic and demographic factors. The insights provided are valuable for future research and interventions aimed at reducing obesity in children.