scholarly journals Association Between Dietary Consumption, Anthropometric Measures And Body Composition Of Rural And Urban Ghanaian Adults; A Comparative Cross Sectional Study.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Ama Frimpomaa Agyapong ◽  
Reginald Adjetey Annan ◽  
Charles Apprey ◽  
Linda Nana Esi Aduku ◽  
Catherina Elizabeth Swart
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
P Value ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Consumption ◽  
Rural And Urban

Abstract Background: Overweight and obesity have become threats to public health in all regions across the globe. Policies to regulate the food environment and promote healthy food consumption can reduce the prevalence obesity but in Ghana there is not enough data to elicit a policy response. This study assessed the association between dietary consumption, anthropometric measures, body composition and physical activity among rural and urban Ghanaian adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 565 Ghanaian adults. Structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic information. Dietary consumption was assessed using household food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall. Height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and body composition of all participants were also measured. The World Health Organization’s Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess physical activity levels. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze differences in anthropometric measurements, body composition and dietary consumption among rural and urban participants. Principal component analysis was used to analyze household food frequency data and nutrient analysis template was used to analyze 24-hour recall. Chi-square was used to measure differences in obesity prevalence by community and gender. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the risk factors associated with obesity. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity using BMI were 29.9 and 22.9 respectively. The use of waist circumference measurement resulted in the highest overall obesity prevalence of 41.5%. Prevalence of obesity was higher among females compared to males across all measures with the exception of visceral fat that showed no significant difference. Four different patterns were derived from principal component analysis. Among urban participants, component 3 (staple pattern) showed a significant negative correlation with visceral fat (r -0.186, p-value 0.013) and BMI (r -0.163, p-value 0.029). Multinomial logistic regression showed that males (AOR 19.715, CI 9.723-39.978, p-value < 0.001) had higher odds of being of normal weight compared to females. Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight and obesity continue to rise in Ghana, especially among females. Public education and screening as well as interventions that regulate the food environment and make affordable and available healthy food options are needed to control the rise in obesity prevalence.

scholarly journals Association Between Dietary Consumption, Anthropometric Measures And Body Composition Of Rural And Urban Ghanaian Adults; A Cross Sectional Study.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Ama Frimpomaa Agyapong ◽  
Reginald Adjetey Annan ◽  
Charles Apprey ◽  
Linda Nana Esi Aduku ◽  
Catherina Elizabeth Swart
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
P Value ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Consumption ◽  
Rural And Urban

Abstract Background Overweight and obesity have become threats to public health in all regions across the globe including sub-Saharan Africa where prevalence used to be low. Policies to regulate the food environment and promote healthy food consumption look promising to reducing the prevalence obesity but in Ghana there is not enough data to elicit a policy response. This study assessed the association between dietary consumption, Body Mass Index (BMI) and body composition among rural and urban Ghanaian adults.Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 565 Ghanaian adults. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on socio-demographics. Dietary consumption was assessed using household food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall. Height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and body composition of all participants were determined. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze differences in anthropometric measures, body composition and consumption among rural and urban participants. Principal component analysis was used to analyze household food frequency data. Chi-square was used to measure differences in obesity prevalence by community and gender. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the risk factors associated with obesity.Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity using BMI were 29.9 and 22.9 respectively. Use of waist circumference measurement resulted in the highest overall obesity prevalence of 41.5%. Prevalence of obesity was higher among females compared to males across all measures with the exception of visceral fat that showed no significant difference. Four different patterns were derived from principal component analysis. Vegetable convenience dietary pattern showed significant negative correlation with visceral fat (r=-0.142, p 0.002), body fat (r=-0.102, p 0.209) and BMI (r=-0.136, p 0.003). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that males (OR 21.968, CI 10.876-44.373, p-value < 0.001) and rural participants (OR 1.684, CI 1.039-2.729, p-value <0.05) had higher odds of being of normal weight.Conclusion Prevalence of overweight and obesity continue to rise in Ghana, especially among females. Public education and screening as well as interventions that regulate the food environment and makes affordable and available healthy food options are needed to control the rise in obesity prevalence.

scholarly journals Factors affecting prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban adolescents: a study from North Chennai, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1990
Author(s):  
Harikrishnan Elangovan ◽  
Rajesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Urban Adolescents ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
P Value ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting

Background: Obesity is escalating at an alarming rate especially among the urban population. Obesity in childhood is an important risk factor for obesity in adulthood. Overweight and obesity are related to physically inactivity, high social economic back ground and dietary transition. This study was done to estimate the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban adolescents and to examine its associated factors.Methods: This is a cross sectional community-based study conducted in North Chennai Corporation Zone II over a period of 2 years. A predesigned proforma was used to collect the demographic profile, socioeconomic status and level of physical activity. Trained Investigators were used to measure anthropometric measures. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 and P value of <0.05 is taken as statistically significant.Results: A total of 4900 children (M: 2317, F: 2583) were included in the study. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were found as 22.1 % and 4.1%. The proportion of overweight was highest at 14 years for boys and 15 years for girls. There is a statistical significance for overweight in relation to sex (P = 0.001), socioeconomic status (P = 0.00001), parent’s occupation (P = 0.00001) and literacy status (P = 0.00001), junk food preference (P = 0.00001), mode of conveyance (P = 0.00001) and level of physical activity (P=0.00001).Conclusions: As obesity in childhood has high risk of comorbidities, intervention studies have to be planned to educate the adolescents as they are the future society and the role models for their off springs.

Environmental perceptions and its associations with physical fitness and body composition in adolescents: longitudinal results from the LabMed Physical Activity Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Oliveira ◽  
Luis Lopes ◽  
Sandra Abreu ◽  
Carla Moreira ◽  
Pedro Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Environmental Perceptions ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Environmental Correlates ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background The environmental correlates have been extensively studied in the last years, but most associations with physical fitness (PF) and body composition have been cross-sectional in nature. Objective This study aimed to determine if adolescents’ environmental perceptions associated with PF and body composition in a 2-year follow-up. Subjects Participants were 583 adolescents aged 12–18 years (299 girls) from the LabMed Physical Activity Study. Methods PF and body composition were assessed with the protocols of the ALPHA health-related fitness battery and environmental perceptions with the ALPHA environmental questionnaire. Linear regression models were used to determine the associations between environmental perceptions at baseline and PF and anthropometric measures at follow-up. Results Results showed that perceptions of distant facilities at baseline were associated with lower fitness at follow-up in boys. Also, boys’ lower study environment perceptions at baseline were associated with higher body composition at follow-up. Positive perceptions of a pleasant environment at baseline were associated with better fitness at follow-up in boys. Additionally, girls’ positive bike lanes availability and esthetics perceptions at baseline were associated with better body composition at follow-up. Conclusion Positive environmental perceptions at baseline are associated with better PF and body composition at follow-up.

scholarly journals Body mass index, physical activity and dietary behaviours among adolescents in the Kingdom of Tonga

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Smith ◽  
P Phongsavan ◽  
D Havea ◽  
V Halavatau ◽  
T Chey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
School Students ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents using international and ethnic-specific cut-off points and to examine patterns of physical activity and dietary behaviours.DesignCross-sectional analytical study.SettingSchools on Tongatapu, Vava'u and Hapa'ai islands in the Kingdom of Tonga.SubjectsA total of 443 school students aged 11–16 years underwent anthropometric measures of height and weight and provided self-reported measures of physical activity and dietary behaviours.ResultsMean body mass index (BMI) was higher among girls than boys (23.7 kg m− 2vs. 21.8 kg m− 2) and tended to increase with age. A total of 36.0% of boys and 53.8% of girls were overweight or obese using the international cut-off points, whereas 25.0% of boys and 37.6% of girls were classified in this way using Polynesian-specific cut-off points. Tinned mutton or beef was the food that most participants (56.9%) reported eating once or more per day. Over half of the young people did not eat taro, fruit or vegetables at least once per day. Regular physical activity outside of school hours was reported by 20.7% of respondents, and 58.2% watched 1 h or more of television per day. Physical activity participation was the only behaviour independently associated with a lower risk of overweight or obesity.ConclusionsUsing Polynesian-specific cut-off points for overweight and obesity the prevalence of these conditions was still among the highest found in adolescents. The prevalence of physical inactivity and poor dietary habits indicate that risk factors for chronic disease are well established during adolescence in Tonga.

scholarly journals KEBIASAAN MAKAN, AKTIVITAS FISIK DAN INDEKS MASSA TUBUH (IMT) MAHASISWA S-1 UNIVERSITAS SEBELAS MARET SURAKARTA

2018 ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
Aisyah Nurkhopipah ◽  
Ari Natalia Probandari ◽  
Sapja Anantanyu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Student College ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Bagian penting dari mahasiswa adalah mereka mengalami masa transisi kuat dengan perubahanlingkungan yang ditandai dengan pola makan yang tidak sehat dan kurang aktivitas Þ sik yangmenempatkan mahasiswa pada risiko yang lebih besar dari kenaikan berat badan. Kelebihan beratbadan dan obesitas terjadi pada mahasiswa, menurut Centers for Disease Control (CDC), prevalensiobesitas pada mahasiswa laki-laki adalah 29,5% dan pada mahasiswa perempuan sebesar 32,6%.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis hubungan kebiasaan makan dan aktivitas Þ sik denganIndeks Massa Tubuh mahasiswa S-1 UNS. Jenis penelitian ini adalah observasional analitik denganpendekatan Cross Sectional. Subjek penelitian ini adalah seluruh mahasiswa program studi S-1 UNSpada tahun 2016 yaitu sejumlah 24.826 orang. Data dianalisis dengan chi square dan regresi logisticmultinomial. Hasil uji korelasi chi square, menunjukkan bahwa kebiasaan makan tidak berhubungansecara signiÞ kan dengan IMT Normal-Kurus ataupun IMT Normal-Gemuk (p = 0,193 & p = 0,446),sedangkan aktivitas Þ sik mempunyai hubungan yang signiÞ kan dengan IMT Normal-Gemuk (p =0,029),tetapi tidak berhubungan dengan IMT normal-kurus (p=0,655). Kesimpulan dalam penelitianini adalah tidak terdapat hubungan yang signiÞ kan antara kebiasaan makan dengan IMT normalkurusataupun IMT normal-gemuk. Tidak ada hubungan antara aktiÞ tas Þ sik dengan IMT normal-kurusnamun terdapat hubungan yang signiÞ kan antara variable aktivitas Þ sik dengan IMT normal-gemuk. Kata kunci: kebiasaan, makan, aktivitas Þ sik, mahasiswa, IMT.The important part of the students is that they experience a strong transition period with environmentalchanges characterized by an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity that puts students at greaterrisk of weight gain. Overweight and obesity occurs in college students, according to the Centers forDisease Control (CDC), the prevalence of obesity in male students is 29.5% and in female students32.6%. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between eating habits and physicalactivity with the body mass index of S-1 UNS students. Type of observational analytic research withCross Sectional approach. The subjects of this study are all S-1 students of UNS program in 2016 thatis 24,826 people. Data were analyzed by chi square and multinomial logistic regression. The result ofchi square correlation test showed that Eating Habits did not correlate signiÞ cantly with Normal BMI- Thin or Normal BMI - Overweight (p = 0,193 & p = 0,446), whereas Physical Activity had signiÞ cantrelation with Normal BMI – Overweight (p = 0,029 ), But not related to normal BMI-thin (p = 0.655).Conclusion of the research is there was no signiÞ cant association between eating habits with normalBMI-thin or normal-fat BMI. There was no relationship between physical activity and normal BMI-butthere was a signiÞ cant relationship between physical activity variables and normal-fat BMI.Keywords:Eating Habits, Physical Activity, student college, BMI.

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors associated with obesity amongst employees of open-cast diamond mine in Namibia

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Desderius Haufiku ◽  
Hans Justus Amukugo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

<p>The study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with obesity amongst employees of Pocket Beaches mine. Obesity rates are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide; 1.2 billion people worldwide are overweight of which 300 million are clinically obese. Of concern, is that obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and other forms of cancers. Although there are several mine workers who on reporting to occupational health services for minor ailment are found to be overweight or obese, we are not certain about the extent with the problem. The health risk associated with obesity could cause a big loss to NAMDEB in terms of care cost, low productivity and absenteeism.</p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of obesity amongst NAMDEB employees working at Pocket Beaches diamond mine.a descriptive; cross-sectional study measured the prevalence of obesity and describes the factors that are associated with obesity and overweight.</p><p>Study population: NAMDEB employees who were working at Pocket Beaches mine. A simple random sampling technique was used to select participants. Eighty seven employees were selected from 188 total NAMDEB employees working at Pocket Beaches mine. Data was collected through interviews. Anthropometric measurements namely, weight, height and abdominal circumference were collected using a standard protocol.</p><p>Data was analyzed using Epi Info 2002. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as kg/m2. Overweight was defined as BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Waist Circumference ≥80 cm was used to identify central obesity in women and ≥90 cm in men. The frequency of participation in physical activity, barriers to physical activity and food consumption is reported in percent and means.</p><p>The study found prevalence 42% overweight and 32% obesity among employees of NAMDEB. A significant number of participants 48% never participate in moderate exercise per week. 71% of participants reported lack of motivation exercising and too tired after work as the major barriers to physical activity. The consumption of fatty foods such as fried chicken and fried meat was common among study subjects. A large number of respondents 79% eat fried chicken regularly while 74% eat fried meat regularly. 79% of participants consumed inadequate fruits and vegetable (one fruit and vegetable per day). The two most mentioned reasons for low fruits and vegetables consumption were lacked of fruits and vegetables in hostel food menu, and 14% don’t like fruits.</p><p>This study results revealed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among employees. There is also low participation in physical activity and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables among employees. Lack of motivation to exercise and unavailability of fruits and vegetable contributed to unhealthy lifestyles. Appropriate interventions are necessary in order to reduce the high obesity prevalence. Wellness program to promote physical activity should be introduced at Pocket Beaches mine. Management should engage Sodexho (catering company) to increase fruits and vegetables in the employees’ menu.</p>

scholarly journals Body composition and prevalence of overweight and obesity and its determinants among adolescents in Manipur, North-Eastern India: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Joymati Oinam ◽  
Joy Singh Akoijam ◽  
Ningthemba Yumnam ◽  
L. Suresh Roy ◽  
Tripti Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Styles

Background: Childhood obesity is emerging as one of the serious public health problems. It has become one of the significant risk factors associated with a cluster of non-communicable diseases which causes an enormous socioeconomic and public health burden. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the body fat % and prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent in Manipur and to identify factors which may contribute to overweight.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 12,410 students studying in class VIII-XII in four districts of Manipur from 2007-2009.  A self-administered questionnaire method was used. BMI and Body composition were determined using the TANITA Body Composition Analyzer. Overweight/ obesity were classified by using WHO classification. Analysis done using SPSSv20 and mean (SD), percentages and Chi-square test were used. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The overall mean fat % was 19.4±6.1 and girls have higher fat% than boys. Overall prevalence of overweight and obesity were 6.4% and 1.2% respectively. Obesity prevalence was more among girls than boys (1.6% vs 1.0%). Statistically significant association was found between obesity with family history of overweight, private schooling, playing games, mode of transport to school, sleeping hours, being vegetarian and watching television.Conclusions: Though the prevalence of overweight and obesity as compared to other parts of India is low, the increasing trend is a definite cause of concern. Therefore, there is a need for primary prevention targeted among children and adolescents regarding adoption of healthy life styles.

Adolescent’s profile with overweight and obesity at vitória municipal school system

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Bruno Luna Oliveira ◽  
Cristian Fernando de Siqueira Alves ◽  
Karol Lacava Cordeiro ◽  
Maria Aline Almeida Guerra ◽  
Alcides Da Silva Diniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School System ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level

ABSTRACT Objetive: to analyze the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescent students in Vitória de Santo Antão city. Méthod: this is about a cross sectional study with a sample of adolescents aged 10-19 years selected by conglomerate in municipal school system from Vitória de Santo Antão city. The sample comprised of 255 students was analyzed according to the socioeconomic, anthropometric measures, physical activity and eating habits variables in December 2009. Statistical analysis of parametric variables were made using Chi-square and t test at a significance level of 5%. The study was submitted to the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Pernambuco and approved under number 262/09. Results: the prevalence of overweight in both sexes was 19.2%, other factors were not associated (p> 0.05), as skin color, social class and eating habits. Triglyceride levels, physical activity and hypertension showed statistical significance when related to excess weight. Conclusion: the adolescents affected by overweight and obesity were more susceptible to hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia. Reduction in BMI and health habits of life contributes to the reduction of cardiometabolic morbidity. Descriptors: adolescent; hypertension; obesity; abdominal circumference; cross sectional study.RESUMOObjetivo: analisar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em adolescentes escolares na cidade de Vitória de Santo Antão. Método: estudo transversal, com amostra composta por adolescentes de 10-19 anos, selecionada por conglomerado, na rede municipal de ensino em Vitória de Santo Antão. A amostra composta por 255 estudantes foi analisada segundo as variáveis socioeconômicas, medidas antropométricas, práticas de atividade física e hábitos alimentares em dezembro de 2009. Para análise foi utilizando o teste Qui-quadrado e o Teste t em nível de significância de 5%. O estudo foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco e aprovado sob o nº 262/09. Resultados: a prevalência de excesso de peso em ambos os sexos foi 19,2%, outros fatores não estiveram associados com o excesso de peso (p>0,05) como cor da pele, classe social e hábitos alimentares. Os níveis de triglicerídeo, atividade física e hipertensão arterial apresentaram significância estatística quando relacionados com o excesso de peso. Conclusão: os adolescentes acometidos por sobrepeso e obesidade estiveram mais expostos a hipertensão e hipertrigliceridemia. Espera-se que a redução do IMC e adoção de hábitos saudáveis de vida contribua para uma significativa redução de morbidades cardiometabólicas. Descritores: adolescente; obesidade; circunferência abdominal; estudos transversais.RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en estudiantes adolescentes en Vitória de Santo Antao. Método: estúdio con diseño transversal, con una muestra de adolescentes de 10-19 años seleccionada por el conglomerado en el sistema municipal de educación en Vitória de Santo Antão. La muestra de 255 estudiantes fueron analizados de acuerdo a las medidas socioeconómicas, antropométricas, actividad física y los hábitos alimentarios en diciembre de 2009. El análisis estadístico de las variables paramétricas se realizaron mediante la prueba de Chi-cuadrado y teste t a un nivel de significancia del 5%. El estudio fue presentado al Comité de Ética de la Universidad Federal de Pernambuco y aprobados en virtud del n º 262/09. Resultados: La prevalencia de sobrepeso en ambos sexos fue del 19,2%, otros factores no se asociaron (p> 0,05), como la clase sociales, color de la piel y hábitos alimenticios. Los niveles de triglicéridos, actividad física y la hipertensión fueron significativos cuando se relaciona con el exceso de peso. Conclusion: adolescentes afectados por el sobrepeso y la obesidad fueron más susceptibles a la hipertensión y la hipertrigliceridemia. Se espera que la reducción del índice de masa corporal y los hábitos de vida saludable ayudará a una reducción significativa de la morbilidad cardiometabólico. Descriptores: adolescentes; obesidad; circunferencia abdominal; estudio transversal.

Prevalence of Childhood Obesity In Northeastern Ontario: A Cross-sectional Study

2006 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Foyez Haque ◽  
Alberto G. de la Rocha ◽  
Betty Ann Horbul ◽  
Patricia Desroches ◽  
Craig Orrell
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Program Planning ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Chi Square Test

Purpose: In Canada, the incidence of childhood obesity has tripled within the past 20 years. The prevalence of obesity in the Timmins, Ontario, student population was studied to gain knowledge for program planning and resource allocation, and to compare Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria with Cole’s international criteria for childhood obesity. Methods: Anthropometric measurements of 801 students were taken. Students were chosen from randomly selected schools for each grade. Data were analyzed according to age, gender, and ethnicity. Data were also compared with other studies. Intragroup comparisons were performed using hypothesis testing for significance with the z table and chi-square test. Results: Overweight and obesity prevalence was 28% according to CDC criteria. No statistical difference was found between genders or among ethnic groups, or between this study and other Canadian studies. In comparison with the CDC criteria, Cole’s international criteria indicated less obesity and increased overweight prevalence. These differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The findings suggest that in the northern Ontario community of Timmins, the prevalence of childhood obesity is of epidemic proportions. When the findings are shared with different agencies, this study will help the health unit to take necessary public health measures to curb the epidemic.

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