scholarly journals Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents in Seven Arab Countries: A Cross-Cultural Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman O. Musaiger ◽  
Mariam Al-Mannai ◽  
Reema Tayyem ◽  
Osama Al-Lalla ◽  
Essa Y. H. Ali ◽  
...  

Objective. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in seven Arab countries using similar reference standard.Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out in seven cities in Arab countries, namely, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and United Arab Emirates. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used. The total sample included was 4698 adolescents aged from 15 to 18 years (2240 males, 2458 females). The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference standard was used to classify the adolescents as nonobese, overweight, and obese.Results. Among males, overweight was highest among Kuwaiti adolescents (25.6%), followed by Jordanian (21.6%), and Syrian (19.7%) adolescents. Among females, the highest prevalence of overweight was reported in Libyan adolescents (26.6%), followed by Kuwaiti (20.8%), and Syrian (19.7%) adolescents. As for obesity, Kuwaiti adolescents showed the highest prevalence of obesity for both males (34.8%) and females (20.6%).Conclusion. There is an urgent need to establish a plan of action to combat obesity in schoolchildren in these countries.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (14) ◽  
pp. 2478-2484
Author(s):  
Jérémy Vanhelst ◽  
Jean-Benoît Baudelet ◽  
David Thivel ◽  
Hervé Ovigneur ◽  
Thibault Deschamps

AbstractObjective:To assess the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in French children from 2013 to 2017.Design:Cross-sectional study performed in fourteen regions of France. Physical measures included weight, height and BMI. Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points from the International Obesity Task Force.Setting:France.Subjects:Children (10 159 boys, 9757 girls) from the voluntary, non-representative Diagnoform programme between 2013 and 2017, at the age of 4–12 years.Results:The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in girls compared with boys (P < 0·001). Underweight was also more prevalent in girls (P < 0·05). Although there were no significant changes in the prevalence of obesity in boys or girls from 2013 to 2017, a significant decrease in overweight among boys and girls was found (P < 0·001) during the same time period. In contrast, the prevalence of underweight increased in girls and boys (from 10·0 to 20·0 %, P < 0·0001) between 2013 and 2017.Conclusions:Results of the current study show that the prevalence of obesity was stable, while the prevalence of overweight decreased significantly, despite high in French children. Findings suggest also that thinness is becoming an important phenomenon in children. Developing preventive and nutritional programmes in order to modify the lifestyle might help control underweight and obesity in children.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Kumah ◽  
K. O. Akuffo ◽  
J. E. Abaka-Cann ◽  
D. E. Affram ◽  
E. A. Osae

The aim was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight among students in the Kumasi metropolis. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 500 students aged 10 to 20 years were examined from two junior high schools selected by multistage sampling technique and three randomly selected senior high schools. Height and weight were measured in all participants and the body mass index (BMI) of each individual was calculated. Body mass index classes were calculated according to the International Obesity Task Force standards. Out of the 500 students, 290 (58.00%) were males and 210 (42.00%) were females. The prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity was 7.40%, 79.60%, 12.20%, and 0.80%, respectively. Overweight was more prevalent among students than obesity. There is therefore the need to establish effective public health promotion campaigns among students in order to curtail future implications on health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhamid Kerkadi ◽  
Abdelmonem Sadig Hassan ◽  
Al Anoud Mohammed Al Thani ◽  
Walaa Al Chetachi ◽  
Hammad Akram ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among adolescents attending independent schools in Qatar. Design/methodology/approaches A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in November-December 2013 in 23 secondary schools. A total of 1,161 students aged 14 to 19 year olds were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster random sampling technique. Body weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were measured using standard protocol. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) reference were used to define overweight and obesity. Abdominal obesity (AO) was defined by waist to height ratio (WHtR ≥ 0.5) and by sex- and age-specific WC cut-off values. Findings The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the study population was 20.6 and 20.7%, respectively. The highest rate of overweight and obesity was observed among boys, and the youngest age group. The rate of obesity defined by either WC/or WHtR was higher than that assessed by BMI. The prevalence of AO assessed by WC and WHtR was 48.8 and 46.9%, respectively. The rate of AO was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among boys compared to girls for both assessment criteria. The proportion of adolescents with AO (WHtR ≥ 0.5) according to BMI was 17.3%, 80.8% and 97.1% for adolescents with normal, overweight and obesity had AO, respectively. Being male was significantly associated with higher odds of having both general obesity and AO. Originality/value The study revealed a high prevalence of general and abdominal obesity in adolescents in Qatar. Waist measures appear to be an important indicator in identifying adolescents at risk and should be included as screening tools for cardiometabolic risk.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lemamsha ◽  
G. Randhawa ◽  
C. Papadopoulos

Libya is following the trend observed in developing countries of steadily becoming more obese, such that obesity in Libya has reached epidemic proportions in the twenty-first century. The prevalence of obesity in Libya has more than doubled in the last three decades, with the numbers of overweight and obese adults being continuing to grow. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate and describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Libyan men and women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the Libyan population. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 401 Libyan adults randomly from the Benghazi electoral register. Qualified nurses were allocated to take anthropometric measurements (including visceral fat and Body Mass Index (BMI)) from participants using the Segmental Body Composition Analyser and a portable Stadiometer. The response rate achieved in this cross-sectional study was 78%. Four hundred and one Libyan adult, aged 20-65 years, participated; 253 were female (63%). The prevalence of obesity, overweight, and normal weight among Libyan adults was 42.4%, 32.9%, and 24.7%, respectively. The results also revealed that approximately 75.3% of Libyan adults were overweight and obese, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in women was significantly higher than that in men (the prevalence of overweight was 33.2% in women compared to 32.4% in men, while the prevalence of obesity was 47.4% in women compared to 33.8% in men, respectively). The findings of this study confirmed that obesity and overweight are the fastest growing issues and have become one of the most serious public health challenges confronting the Libyan authorities. As the obesity epidemic in Libya continues to escalate, with a complete absence of prevention interventions to reduce obesity, more research is desperately needed to follow the trend of gender difference in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Libyans adults across the Libyan state to improve the effective interventions for preventing obesity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 4522
Author(s):  
Saurabh Naranbhai Panchal ◽  
Akash Virendrabhai Agrawal ◽  
Nilesh Thakor

Background: Early adulthood obesity itself is a predictor of adult obesity and of higher than expected adult morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence and determinants of obesity in college students of Vadodara and Patan city of Gujarat, India.Methods: The present cross sectional study was undertaken during April 2017 to March 2018 in randomly selected 5 Colleges of Vadodara city and Patan City of Gujarat. Total 1330 students between the age group of 18 to 23 years were examined and BMI were calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined based on the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Various determinants of obesity and overweight were studied by interviewing students. Thus collected data was analyzed using SPSS 17 (Trial version).Results: Out of 1330 students, males were 49.6% Prevalence of obesity and overweight was 6.1% and 11.0% respectively. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was higher amongst less active group (6.5% and 13.4% respectively). Prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly higher in the group of students who spent >2 hours daily in front of television or computers. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly higher amongst group of students who took daily calories above recommended dietary allowance (21.5% and 22.8% respectively). The prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly higher who took junk food (9.3% and 14.8% respectively).Conclusions: High prevalence of obesity and overweight in college students indicate an urgent need to increase awareness via education and motivation of all stakeholders.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 959-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Vanhelst ◽  
Jean-Benoît Baudelet ◽  
Paul S Fardy ◽  
Laurent Béghin ◽  
Jacques Mikulovic ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in French youth from 2009 to 2013 and to determine if there are differences in weight categories according to socio-economic status.DesignCross-sectional study performed in different regions of France. Physical measures included weight, height and BMI. Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points from the International Obesity Task Force.SettingFrance.SubjectsChildren and adolescents (n 9670; 4836 boys, 4834 girls) from the French national BOUGE Program between 2009 and 2013.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was higher in boys than girls (P<0·05). In contrast, underweight was more prevalent in girls (P<0·05). Although there were no significant changes in overweight or underweight boys or girls from 2009 to 2013, there was a significant increase in obesity in boys and girls (P<0·05) during the same time period. The prevalence of underweight increased in girls from 12·0 to 16·7 % (P >0·05) and remained unchanged in boys (7·1–7·3 %) between 2009 and 2013. Overweight and obesity were higher in low socio-economic families (P<0·0001).ConclusionsFindings suggest that the prevalence of overweight was stable although high in French children and adolescents, while the prevalence of obesity increased significantly. Changes in underweight, although not significant, were high in girls and merit further attention. Improving public health interventions, especially in high-risk low socio-economic populations, may help to modify the behaviour that contributes to underweight, overweight and obesity in young boys and girls.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-323
Author(s):  
Samar Hossain ◽  
Sharma Priyanka ◽  
Talib Hossain ◽  
Surendra Mohan Mathur

Objective: The last two decades have witnessed an increase in health care costs due to obesity and related issues among children and adolescents. Childhood obesity is a global phenomenon affecting all socio-economic groups, irrespective of age, sex or ethnicity. The study was done to find the the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their association with socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk factors. Materials and Methods: School based cross sectional study carried out over a period of 4 months in three schools of East Delhi. The study was carried out in 629 school children of 10–18 years of age and belonging to different socioeconomic statuses in schools in East Delhi. The obesity and overweight were considered using an updated body mass index reference. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to determine the Socio-economic status and life style factors. Results: The prevalence of overweight among children was higher in middle socioeconomic status groups as compared to high socioeconomic class in both boys and girls whereas the prevalence of obesity was higher in high Socio economic status group as compared to middle socioeconomic group. The prevalence of obesity as well as overweight in low SES group was the lowest as compared to other group. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity varies remarkably with different socioeconomic development levels.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Yunfei Zhang ◽  
Jiahong Sun ◽  
Min Zhao ◽  
Costan G. Magnussen ◽  
Xi Bo

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity among Tibetan adolescents aged 12-17 years. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Shigatse city of Tibet municipality, with an average altitude of more than 4000 m. Subjects: Study participants included 2,642 adolescents aged 12-17 years selected from 6 schools using a convenient cluster sampling method. Results: The prevalence of thinness/overweight/obesity among Tibetan adolescents was 9.4%/5.4%/1.4% (China definition), 14.7%/4.4%/0.7% (IOTF definition), and 2.8%/5.7%/0.9% (WHO definition). The prevalence of thinness and overweight was significantly different between both sexes based on each of three BMI classification criteria (P <0.001). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity between both sexes according to each of three BMI criteria. There was no clear trend in the prevalence of thinness across ages according to the China or IOTF definition (both P >0.05), whereas an upward trend was observed for thinness in boys according to the IOTF definition (P for trend <0.05). In contrast, the prevalence of thinness tended to decrease with increasing age in girls according to the IOTF definition, and in total sample according to the WHO definition (P for trend <0.05). Conclusions: Among Tibetan adolescents, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is relatively low, while the prevalence of thinness is high, especially in boys. These data suggest urgent attention is needed to control adolescent thinness in Tibet.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Marcella Evangelista Melo ◽  
Giovanna Lima Miguéis ◽  
Mikaela Silva Almeida ◽  
Tatiane Dalamaria ◽  
Wagner De Jesus Pinto ◽  
...  

Introduction: In the diagnosis of overweight and obesity based on body mass index in children and adolescents, several national and international anthropometric references are recommended. However, there is a divergence in the estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity among the references. Objective: To identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to analyse the magnitude of agreement among the three references. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 975 students from the early grades of elementary school. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Conde and Monteiro. The Kappa weighted index was calculated to assess the agreement magnitude among the three references. Results: The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated by the Conde and Monteiro and WHO references, respectively. Overall, the IOTF revealed lower a magnitude of prevalence than the two other references. The agreement among the references identified by the Kappa index had a range of 0.66 to 0.94. Conclusion: Despite the satisfactory agreement among the three references, this research highlighted the differing magnitudes of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This fact limits the ability to make comparisons among populations and impairs the development of overweight and obesity prevention actions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document