Prevalence of obesity and its risk factors among school children in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted during 2012 in private and public-sector schools of Karachi to determine the prevalence and factors influencing overweight and obesity among school children (aged 11-15 years). Sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits were explored. The CDC Growth Chart was used to record height and weight. Of a total of 887 children, being overweight and frankly obese was found in 169 (19.1%) and 96 (10.8%), respectively. Of these, 176 (66.4%) were from private schools, and significant associations were found in 202 (76.2%) who were spending > 2 h/day watching television and 139 (52.5%) sleeping > 8 h/day.

WITHDRAWN: BMI status relative to international and national growth references among Pakistani school-age girls

“…This was in agreement with the incidence of obesity reported by the Karachi survey of 5.7% (27). This incidence of obesity as reported by previous researchers in several studies conducted on Pakistani children showed inconsistent results (23,24,41) and also differed from our study estimates. Additionally, we observed signi cant differences in the estimates of weight status when school-going girls from NP, CP, and SP were compared ( gs.…”

“…This however differed from the NHSP and Karachi survey which reported incidences of overweight and obesity as 3% and 5.7% respectively (27), lower than the incidence in our study group. Similarly, the incidence of overweight in our paediatric population as reported in previous national studies is quite inconsistent and reported to be 17% (5-12 years) with WHO reference, 33% with IOTF reference (41); 19.1% (11-15 years) with CDC reference (24); 16% (10-14 years) with WHO reference (23); 8% (10-14 years) with modi ed BMI cut-offs for Asian population (26); 19% (6-17 years) with CDC reference (25). The overall prevalence of obesity in our 8-16 years old schoolgirls was 5.67%.…”

“…Few studies conducted to estimate the growth status of Pakistani school children have utilised either WHO and/or CDC references to measure the prevalence of two extremes i.e. under-and over-nutrition in older children and have found con icting results (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). This indicates dire need to come to a consensus for using one reference and to generate cut-off values for the indigenous population.…”

WITHDRAWN: BMI status relative to international and national growth references among Pakistani school-age girls

“…This however differed from the NHSP and Karachi survey which reported incidences of overweight and obesity as 3% and 5.7% respectively (27), lower than the incidence in our study group. Similarly incidence of overweight in our paediatric population as reported in previous national studies is quite inconsistent and reported to be 17% (5-12 years) with WHO reference, 33% with IOTF reference (40); 19.1% (11-15 years) with CDC reference (24); 16% (10-14 years) with WHO reference (23); 8% (10-14 years) with modi ed BMI cut-offs for Asian population (26); 19% (6-17 years) with CDC reference (25). The overall prevalence of obesity in our 8-16 years old schoolgirls was 5.67%.…”

“…On the other hand, high prevalence of underweight in certain regions might be attributed to undernutrition and due to high prevalence of chronic diseases leading to malnutrition. Several studies conducted in Pakistan to determine prevalence of abnormal weight status in children and adolescents have reported discrepancies in their results (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), indicating regional differences as one of the contributing factors leading to these variable results. Local data describing the regional differences as contributing factors for obtaining variable results in prevalence of weight status is scarce.…”