Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents and the perception of body weight by parents or friends

Abstract

Objective Recently, the State of Kuwait has witnessed a steady rise in the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents. The present study aims to provide an update on the rate of overweight or obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents and examines the associations between adolescents’ overweight/obesity levels and their perception of body weight as seen by parents or friends. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuwaiti secondary schools and included adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 years, using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Body weight and height were measured. A specifically designed self-report questionnaire was used to assess parents’ and friends’ perceptions of an adolescent’s body weight. Results A total of 706 adolescents were included the study. The prevalence of overweight or obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents reached nearly 50%, with males (54.3%) having a significantly higher overweight or obesity percentage than females (44.6%). No significant difference in the prevalence of obesity relative to age, from 15 to 18 years, was found. In addition, logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and gender, revealed that adolescents perceived their parents (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001) or friends (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001) as more likely to classify their weight as overweight or obese, respectively. Conclusion Overweight or obesity levels appear to be high among Kuwaiti adolescents, and appears to have reached a plateau recently. Efforts to combat obesity and promote physical activity and healthy nutrition are needed. Future studies should seek to identify important moderators of parental and social underestimation/overestimation of children’s overweight or obesity.

Prevalence and Determinants of Obesity and Overweight Among Children and Adolescents in the Middle East and North African Countries: An Updated Systematic Review

“…Twenty-one articles incorporated in the systematic review were published between the years 2018 and 2023. Four studies originated from Jordan, [44][45][46][47] four from Saudi Arabia, [48][49][50][51] two each from Kuwait, 52,53 Palestine, 54,55 UAE, 56,57 Algeria, 58,59 and Qatar, 60,61 and one each published from Sudan, 62 Egypt, 63 and Iran. 64 Studies enrolled children between 1 and 19 years old.…”

The Effect of SEKAR (Sumber Edukasi Anemia yang Relevan) Card-Based Nutrition Education on Knowledge and Iron Intake in Pregnant Women

“…Understanding the compatibility of health delivery methods is the main thing in providing good feedback from respondents. It is very important to design nutrition education programs that are effective and adapted to this population (15). Nutrition education is part of preventive medicine.…”

Hubungan Asupan Energi, Preferensi Makan, Pengaruh Teman Sebaya, dan Pendidikan Orang Tua dengan Kejadian Gizi Lebih Remaja di Depok

“…A study in Sweden shows that up to 83% of adolescents eat out with their friends, consuming high-energy foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, cakes, and cookies 51 . Peers also influence adolescents' BMI; the influence of peers on adolescents' BMI is that there is a prevailing social norm among adolescents regarding body size, where adolescents with overnutrition report lower self-esteem and body satisfaction and receive teasing about their weight from peer 52 . Therefore, interactions between adolescents and peers can affect their body perception through conversations related to appearance, modelling of peer diet behaviour, and perceptions of attitudes related to peer appearance 53 Research found that an increase in peers' BMI increases adolescents' BMI and the likelihood of overweight and obesity 54 .…”