Prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among school-aged children in urban Ghana

Aryeetey, Richmond; Lartey, Anna; Marquis, Grace S; Nti, Helena; Colecraft, Esi K; Brown, Patricia

doi:10.1186/s40608-017-0174-0

Cited by 55 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(31 reference statements)

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“…We observed a low prevalence of overnutrition. Our result was much lower than those reported in elsewhere in Nigeria, Ghana and Vietnam [34,[43][44][45]. Overweight was observed more in girls and among pupils in private schools.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 90%

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Nutritional status of school age children in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

et al. 2020

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Background: Malnutrition is a major public health problem with short and long-term adverse effects on children particularly in middle and low-income countries. Three out of every ten under-five children are said to be stunted and 19.4% underweight in Nigeria. In Ebonyi State, between 2013 and 2015, the proportion of preschool children with chronic undernutrition rose from 16.2 to 20.6%. Little is documented about the nutritional status of school-age children in Ebonyi State and Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 780 children aged 6 to 12 years from 10 primary schools in Abakaliki metropolis. A multistage sampling method was used to select the participants. A pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the children and their parents. Body Mass Index (BMI), Z scores of the weight for age, BMI for age and height for age were obtained using the WHO AnthroPlus software. We estimated the prevalence of undernutrition, over-nutrition, underweight, thinness, stunting, overweight and obesity. Result: Out of 751 pupils that participated, 397 (52.9%) were females and 595 (79.2%) were in public schools. The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 15.7% and that of over-nutrition was 2.1%. The prevalence of underweight, thinness and stunting, overweight and obesity were 8, 7.2, 9.9, 1.4 and 0.7% respectively. The proportion of pupils who were thin was higher among males (8.7%), those attending public schools (8.6%) and those dwelling in rural parts of the metropolis (14.3%) compared to females (5.8%) private school attendees (1.9%) and urban dwellers (4.6%). Stunting was found to be higher among pupils attending public schools (11.8%) compared to those attending private schools (2.5%). The prevalence of stunting was 19.3% among the pupils residing in rural areas and 5% among the pupils living in urban areas of the metropolis. No pupil in private schools was underweight. Overnutrition was not found among the pupils in rural areas. Conclusion: Both under and over nutrition exist in Abakaliki metropolis. Undernutrition is the more prevalent form of malnutrition among school age children in the metropolis.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 90%

“…Overweight was observed more in girls and among pupils in private schools. This preponderance of overweight among pupils in private schools compared to those in the public schools has been reported [43,46]. The observation may be due to the effect of estrogen on fat accumulation in females.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Nutritional status of school age children in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

et al. 2020

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“…Overweight and obesity principally reflect positive energy balance; physical inactivity and poor dietary habits are two key modifiable factors that Overweight and obesity principally reflect positive energy balance; physical inactivity and poor dietary habits are two key modifiable factors that can influence this balance in a population. Aryeetey et al [12], in a cross-sectional study conducted among school-aged children in urban Ghana, reported an overweight/obesity prevalence of 15% and indicated that low physical activity participation was associated with overweight and obesity among school-aged children which is partly consistent with findings in this present study. A similar crosssectional study conducted in the Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, reported prevalence rates of 9.8% and 7.5% for overweight and obesity and indicated that obesity/overweight prevalence is associated with attending a private school, high level of parental education, playing computer/video games and eating food at the school canteen [13].…”

Section: Municipalitysupporting

confidence: 91%

Weight Management among School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Quantitative Assessment in a Ghanaian Municipality

Gyamfi

Obirikorang

Acheampong

et al. 2019

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Background: Childhood and adolescent overweight, obesity and underweight have become an issue of grave concern to both the developed and developing countries in context of global burden of non-communicable diseases. Unhealthy weight status is a significant public health issue for developing countries, of which Ghana is not excluded. This study evaluated the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight and its related factors among school-aged children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 1004 participants were randomly selected from six schools. A structured questionnaire on demography and socioeconomic status of students’ parents/guardians were completed by the selected students. Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist, and hip) were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. BMI-for-age z-scores were used to categorize anthropometric data of the children as underweight, normal, overweight or obese. A cut-off value of >0.50 was used to define obesity by WHtR. Results: Overweight prevalence of 13.8% and 12.6 was observed among basic school and high school student respectively based on BMI classification. Obesity prevalence of 8.8% was found in basic school students and 8.9% among high school student. Underweight was observed in 114 (11.3%) basic school students and 86 (8.6%) high school students. There was a difference in sex prevalence in unhealthy weight-behaviours; with more girls being overweight (19.4% vs 7.6%, p < 0.001) and obese (10.2% vs. 7.3%, p=0.177) compared to boys. High WHtR found in 10.5% of basic students and 5.0% of high school students, with a statistical difference. Overweight/obesity was significantly associated with taking snacks before bed among basic school students [aOR=10.45(5.95-18)] and high school students [aOR=10.23(5.95-18.37)] respectively. Watching TV [aOR=0.39(0.22-0.70)], sleeping during leisure periods [aOR=0.43(0.23-0.81)] and bicycling as a means of transport [aOR=0.37(0.19-0.72)] to school was protective of obesity among basic school students. Conclusion: High prevalence of unhealthy weight-related behaviours was observed among school-aged children in the Bekwai Municipality with significant. Snacking before bed was a major factor promoting obesity among school-aged children whiles leisure behaviours such as TV watching, and sleeping was protective of obesity. Therefore, it is recommended to Promote and support healthy eating habits among school-aged children which are likely beneficial in reducing the risk of childhood unhealthy weight-related behaviours.

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“…This study was part of the Ghana School Survey that was designed to assess the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among school-aged children in urban Ghana (Aryeetey et al 2017 [ 11 ]). The study population included 802 school children between the ages of 9–15 years who were recruited between December 2009 and February 2012 from 121 schools located in Accra and Kumasi, the two largest cities in Ghana.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lipid profile and dyslipidemia among school-age children in urban Ghana

et al. 2018

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BackgroundDyslipidemia during childhood has been associated with higher risk of atherosclerosis later in life. Information on the lipid profile of Ghanaian children is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the lipid profiles of school children between the ages of 9–15 years, living in urban Ghana.MethodsA total of 802 randomly selected school-age children participated in the Ghana School Survey implemented in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on child and maternal socio-demographic characteristics (including age, education, and occupation), 7-day food frequency, home and school activity, as well as measurement of weight and standing height. Weight, height, and age data were converted into BMI-for-age indices to determine weight status. Finger-prick fasting blood samples were taken from the school-age children. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol levels were determined using the CardioChek® PA Test System. Reference lipid levels based on the US National Cholesterol Education Program 2001 guidelines were used to determine the proportion of children with dyslipidemia.ResultsThe mean TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG levels were 149.0 ± 57.0 mg/dl, 80.1 ± 38.6 mg/dl, 53.5 ± 19.4 mg/dl, and 71.4 ± 54.7 mg/dl, respectively. Mean TC/HDL-C ratio was 3.0 ± 1.0. The proportion of children with abnormal values were 12.1% for TC, 4.5% for TG, 28.4% for HDL-C, 9.2% for LDL-C, and 6.6% for TC/HDL-C ratio. The levels of dyslipidemia (HDL, LDL, and TC/HDL-C ratio) were higher among overweight/obese compared to normal-weight children. More frequent fruit consumption was also linked with lower LDL-C (p = 0.020) while watching television (TV) in the mornings was linked with both higher TC (p = 0.011) and TG (p = 0.006).ConclusionsMajority of urban-dwelling Ghanaian school children had normal lipid profiles. However, the higher levels of dyslipidemia observed among overweight and obese children suggest the need for population level physical activity and dietary interventions among children to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases in adult life.

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Prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among school-aged children in urban Ghana

Cited by 55 publications

References 30 publications

Nutritional status of school age children in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Nutritional status of school age children in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Weight Management among School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Quantitative Assessment in a Ghanaian Municipality

Lipid profile and dyslipidemia among school-age children in urban Ghana

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