Prevalence and determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity has increased dramatically and has become a public health concern worldwide. Childhood obesity is likely to persist through adulthood and may lead to early onset of NCDs. However, there is paucity of data on obesity among primary school children in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among school age children in randomly selected schools in Dar es Salaam. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard procedures. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). Child obesity was defined as BMI at or above 95th percentile for age and sex. Socio-demographic characteristics of children were determined using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine association between independent variables with obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam.ResultsA total of 446 children were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 11.1±2.0 years and 53.1% were girls. The mean BMI, SBP and DBP were 16.6±4.0 kg/m2, 103.9±10.3mmHg and 65.6±8.2mmHg respectively. The overall prevalence of child obesity was 5.2% and was higher among girls (6.3%) compared to boys (3.8%). Obese children had significantly higher mean values for age (p=0.042), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (all p<0.001). Most obese children were from households with fewer children (p=0.019) and residing in urban areas (p=0.002). Controlling for other variables, age above 10 years (AOR=3.3, 95% CI=1.5-7.2), female sex (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.9), urban residence (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.2-5.3) and having money to spend at school (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.8) were significantly associated with child obesity.ConclusionsThe prevalence of childhood obesity in this population was found to be low. However, children from urban schools and girls were proportionately more obese compared to their counterparts. Primary preventive measures for childhood obesity should start early in childhood and address socioeconomic factors of parents contributing to childhood obesity.

Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity and its Determinant Factors Among Elementary School Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Study done in Douala, Cameron in 2010, the prevalence of overweight ranges from 6.4% to 8.2% in boys and from 10.7% to 17.2% in girls, whereas prevalence of obesity ranges from 1.4% to 5.5% in boys and from 2.4 to 8.6% in girls. Prevalence of underweight according to WHO 2007 reference was higher in boys as compared to girls, 5.5% and 9.2% respectively [20]. The sex specific prevalence of underweight was almost equal in our study 22 (9.9%) male and 22 (9.1%) female.…”

“…Limited number of research in this area motivates us to select this topic. Though, there is a lack of data concerning overweight and obesity assessment in childhood and adolescence in Ethiopia, clearly the risk of childhood obesity leading to adult morbidity is of great public health significance [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Prevalence of Childhood Obesity among Primary School Students at Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia

“…In 2008, locally published study done in Al-Hassa showed that the prevalence of overweight of primary school boys was 14.2% while that of obesity was 9.7%, but the age range in that study was 10-12 years [25]. In a study conducted among primary school children in Riyadh (2013), a prevalence of 16% and 11% for overweight and obesity were reported among school boys [32].…”

“…Recent study done in Riyadh and published at 2008 showed that prevalence of obesity in primary school girls was 14.9% [38]. In a study conducted among primary school children in Riyadh (2013), a prevalence of 20% and 17% for overweight and obesity were reported among school girls [32]. Al-Shehri et al [39] carried out a review is to evaluate the prevalence and the trends of obesity among Saudi children (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012).…”

Overweight, obesity and perceptions about body weight among primary schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…Data collection procedures for this study have already been described elsewhere (Muhihi et al, 2013). Anthropometric measurements were taken early in the morning before classes began.…”