Prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children in Port Said city

Correlation between body mass index and motor proficiency in Egyptian children: a cross-sectional study

Background

Obesity in children is a frequent and serious problem that can impede motor ability performance, necessitating extra attention and early intervention efforts. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between body mass index (BMI) and motor proficiency in Egyptian children. Two-hundred normal healthy children from both sexes (6 to 8 years old) were enrolled. BMI was defined by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²), and motor proficiency was evaluated by Bruininks-Oseretsky Test 2 of Motor Proficiency Short Form (BOT-2 SF). Participants were classified into four categories based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cutoff points including underweight, normal, overweight, and obese.

Results

Between-group analysis demonstrated a significant difference between groups where (χ² (3) = 131.50, P = 0.0001), with the obese group showing the worst motor ability, with mean differences at 95% confidence intervals of 7.44 for underweight, 81.14 for overweight, and 108.92 for obese children. The correlation coefficients of BOT-2 SF and BMI show a significant negative correlation (R = −0.723, P = 0.0001). Regression analysis revealed that BMI can significantly predict the BOT-2 SF (F = 216.94, P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Excess body weight in the period of early childhood in Egyptians has a deleterious effect on motor skill performance; also, children who were normal weight or underweight had higher motor skills than those who were overweight or obese.

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among primary school children: a cross-sectional study in Thanhhoa City, Vietnam

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among primary school children (6-11 years old) in Thanhhoa city in 2021.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Seven primary schools in Thanhhoa city, Vietnam.

PARTICIPANTS

782 children (and their parents).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Two-stage cluster random sampling was used for selecting children and data were collected from January to February 2021. A self-administrated questionnaire was designed for children and their parents. Children's height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores were computed using the WHO Anthro software V.1.0.4. Data were analysed using R software V.4.1.2. The associations between potential factors and childhood overweight/obesity were analysed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Variables were selected using the Bayesian Model Averaging method.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight/obesity among primary school children in Thanhhoa city was 35.93% (overweight 21.61% and obesity 14.32%). The proportion of overweight girls was nearly equal to that of boys (20.78% and 22.52%, respectively, p=0.6152) while the proportion of boys with obesity was four times as many as that of girls (23.86% and 5.62%, respectively, p<0.0001). Child's sex was the factor significantly associated with childhood overweight/obesity. Boys had double the risk of being overweight/obese than girls (adjusted OR: aOR=2.48, p<0.0001). Other potential factors which may be associated with childhood overweight/obesity included mode of transport to school, the people living with the child, mother's occupation, father's education, eating confectionery, the total time of doing sports, and sedentary activities.

CONCLUSION

One in every three primary school children in Thanhhoa city were either overweight or obese. Parents, teachers and policy-makers can implement interventions in the aforementioned factors to reduce the rate of childhood obesity. In forthcoming years, longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine the causal relationships between potential factors and childhood overweight/obesity.

Determinants of Overweight Among Primary School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021

Background

The condition of being overweight is the abnormal excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Globally, it is a serious public health issue in both developing and developed countries.

Objective

This study aims to identify determinants of overweight among primary school children in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods

A school-based unmatched case control study was conducted from June 20 to 30, 2021. The total sample size was 285 (95 cases and 190 controls). Multistage sampling technique was used. Data were entered using Epi data 3.1 version and analyzed using SPSS version 24 software. Frequency, tables and figures were used. Bivariable analysis was done and variables with p <0.025 were entered to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was declared at p <0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The odds of overweight increased 19.8 times more in children whose fathers work in private business [AOR: 19.82, 95% CI: 6.21, 63.25], increased 4.8 times more in children who consume meat on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 4.75, 95% CI: 1.61, 14.03], increased 5 times more in children who consume milk on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 5.02, 95% CI: 1.80, 13.98], increased 11.9 times more in children who spend more than 6 hours sitting per day [AOR: 11.89, 95% CI: 4.13, 34.28]. And also, odds decreased by 84% in children who consume fruit on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.19], decreased 93% in children who consume vegetables on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.42], decreased 67% in children who consume cereals on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.84].

Conclusion

Fathers working in private business, consuming fruit, vegetables, cereals, meat and milk on more than 2 days per week and sitting for more than 6 hours per day were determinants for overweight in this study. Therefore, it is better to include fruit, vegetables and cereals in dietary habits, decrease consumption of meat and milk and minimize sitting to less than 6 hours per day including school learning time.

Systematic Review of the Relationships between 24-Hour Movement Behaviours and Health Indicators in School-Aged Children from Arab-Speaking Countries

The Australian and Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth synthesized studies in English and French or other languages (if able to be translated with Google translate) and found very few studies published in English from Arabic countries that examined the relationship between objectively measured sedentary behaviour (SB), sleep and physical activity (PA) and health indicators in children aged 5–12 years. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the relationships between 24-hour movement behaviours and health indicators in school-aged children from Arab-speaking countries. Online databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTdiscus, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for English, French and Arabic studies (written in English), while Saudi Digital Library, ArabBase, HumanIndex, KSUP, Pan-Arab Academic Journal, e-Marefa, Al Manhal eLibrary and Google Scholar were searched for Arabic studies. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to assess the risk of bias and the quality of evidence for each health indicator. A total of 16 studies, comprising 15,346 participants from nine countries were included. These studies were conducted between 2000 and 2019. In general, low levels of PA and sleep and high SB were unfavourably associated with adiposity outcomes, behavioural problems, depression and low self-esteem. Favourable associations were reported between sleep duration and adiposity outcomes. SB was favourably associated with adiposity outcomes, withdrawn behaviour, attention and externalizing problems. PA was favourably associated with improved self-esteem and adiposity outcomes. Further studies to address the inequality in the literature in the Arab-speaking countries to understand the role of 24-hour movement behaviours and its positive influence on health outcomes across childhood are urgently needed.

Overweight and obesity prevalence among upper Egypt primary schools' children using Egyptian and CDC growth charts

BACKGROUND

Monitoring of overweight and obesity among children; by using different growth charts; is fundamental to disease prevention and health promotion.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine overweight and obesity for age among primary school children in Upper Egypt using the Egyptian and CDC growth charts.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional research design was used and conducted at 20 public primary schools in four Upper Egypt governorates. The sample size was 5300 children who selected by multistage sampling technique. Interview questionnaire included personal data and anthropometric measurements (height, Weight and BMI) and Egyptian and CDC growth charts.

RESULTS

The percentages of children being overweight and obese for age using Egyptian chart were low compared to CDC charts (1.9 vs 4.6%, 8.5% vs. 3.3%, 8.7% vs 3.3% respectively). According to Egyptian chart 5.2% and 5% from total studied boys and girls were overweight and obese respectively, while in CDC growth chart 13.3% and 10.5% from total studied boys and girls respectively.

CONCLUSION

It concluded that there were remarkable differences between CDC and Egyptian growth charts references in the classification of child overweight and obesity. The CDC growth chart evident much higher prevalence among the studied children compared to the Egyptian growth chart.

RECOMMENDATION

Periodic development and reconstruction of national growth chart to represent the growth pattern of all geographical areas in Egypt. Also, further researches needed to assess the differences of both international and national references.

Overnutrition and Associated Factors: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study between Government and Private Primary School Students in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction

Childhood overnutrition is a public health problem in low- and middle-income countries because its effect is likely to progress into adulthood that results in developing noncommunicable diseases at a younger age. There is no such previous comparative study that investigated this issue. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of overnutrition among government and private primary school students in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

Institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 5 to April 9, 2019. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 736 participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interview. Data was entered into EPI-info version 7.2.1.0 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to identify associated factors with overnutrition. Statistical significance was declared using p value< 0.05.

Results

The overall prevalence of overnutrition was 9.1%. The prevalence was higher among private schools (51 (14%)) than government (16 (4.3%)). Eating habit while watching television (AOR = 4.08, 95%CI: 1.10–15.16) and not having close friend (AOR = 3.72, 95%: CI: 1.21–2 11.48) were significantly associated with overnutrition in the government schools, while no father education (AOR = 2.59, 95%:CI:1.05–6.39), sweet food preference (AOR = 2.86, 95%:1.19–6.87), fat consumption more than three days per week (AOR = 3.79, 95%CI:1.61–8.91), eating habit while reading (AOR = 4.95, 95%CI:2.29–10.70), and vigorous-intensity sports (AOR = 2.23, 95%:1.02–4.86) were associated with overnutrition in private schools.

Conclusion

Prevalence of overnutrition was higher among private than government schools. Hence, it requires attention through creating awareness about healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, and physical activity in collaboration with health and education sectors.

Contribution of Home and School Environment in Children's Food Choice and Overweight/Obesity Prevalence in African Context: Evidence for Creating Enabling Healthful Food Environment

This review aimed primarily to investigate the current trends of overweight and obesity in school children in the African context, secondly to explore the contribution of home and school environments on the children’s food choices and lastly suggesting measures for creating a healthier food environment. Despite the increase in overweight and obesity among school children, empirical evidence on their determinants in the African context is scarce, thus calls for consideration of home and school environments. A literature search was conducted between October and December 2018 using Medline (PubMed), Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, manual search and “grey” literature. This review included articles published between the 1st January 2008 and 30th June 2018. Out of 343 articles, 49 were included for the full text reading after meeting the inclusion criteria. Five reports from grey literature were also included. Results show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children in Africa is increasing and ranges from <5% to >40% in the 10-year period in which the review was taken. High socio-economic status, urban residence and female gender predicted higher prevalence of overweight/obesity. Few reviewed articles on the contribution of home and school environments on children’s food choices showed a shred of evidence, thus calls for further research to address this gap. This review found an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children in Africa. Therefore, further investigation of home and school environment is imperative to curb the increase in the magnitude of overweight and obesity.

Prevalence of Underweight and Overweight and Its Association with Physical Fitness in Egyptian Schoolchildren

Underweight and overweight are serious health concerns for many children and could be associated with low physical-fitness levels. This study aimed (i) to evaluate the prevalence of underweight and overweight and (ii) to examine its association with the physical fitness levels in primary male and female schoolchildren. Including 13 government primary-schools, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2014 and 2017. Anthropometric characteristics together with the physical-fitness level were measured in 931 schoolchildren aged between 6- and 11-years old. The prevalence of under- and overweight children were 8.49% and 24.06%, respectively. These proportions were not significantly different between males and females and were affected by age (p < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of overweight and a lower prevalence of underweight at 9–11 years, compared to 6–8 years old. Concerning the physical fitness levels, statistical analysis showed a better performance among males compared to females, among participants aged 9–11 years, compared to 6–8 years old, and among underweight and normal-weight, compared to overweight children (p < 0.001). There was a higher prevalence of overweight and lower prevalence of underweight at 9–11 years compared to 6–8 years old. Physical fitness levels were better in (i) males, compared to females, (ii) schoolchildren aged 9–11 years, compared to 6–8 years old, and (iii) underweight and normal-weight, compared to overweight children.

Childhood obesity in urban Ghana: evidence from a cross-sectional survey of in-school children aged 5-16 years

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in many low-income urban settings; but its determinants are not clear. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of childhood obesity and associated factors among in-school children aged 5-16 years in a Metropolitan district of Ghana.

METHODS

A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among a sample of 285 in-school children aged 5-16 years. Pre-tested questionnaires and anthropometric data collection methods were used to collect data. Descriptive, bivariate, binary and multivariate logistic regression statistical techniques were used to analyse data.

RESULTS

Some 46.9% (42.2% for males and 51.7% for females) of the children were overweight. Of this, 21.2% were obese (BMI falls above 95th percentile). Childhood obesity was higher in private school (26.8%) than public school (21.4%), and among girls (27.2%) than boys (19%). Factors that increased obesity risks included being aged 11-16 as against 5-10 years (aOR = 6.07; 95%CI = 1.17-31.45; p = 0.025), having a father whose highest education is 'secondary' (aOR =2.97; 95% CI = 1.09-8.08; p = 0.032), or 'tertiary' (aOR = 3.46; 95% CI = 1.27-9.42; p = 0.015), and consumption of fizzy drinks most days of the week (aOR = 2.84; 95% CI = 1.24-6.52; p = 0.014). Factors that lowered obesity risks included engaging in sport at least 3times per week (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.33-0.96; p = 0.034), and sleeping for more than 8 h per day (aOR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.19-0.79; p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Higher parental (father) educational attainment and frequent consumption of fizzy drinks per week may increase obesity risks among in-school children aged 5-16 years in the Metropolitan district of Ghana. However, regular exercise (playing sport at least 3 times per week) and having 8 or more hours of sleep per day could lower obesity risks in the same population. Age and sex-appropriate community and school-based interventions are needed to promote healthy diet selection and consumption, physical activity and healthy life styles among in-school children.

Effect of Obesity on Cognitive Function among School Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

Childhood obesity contributes to the risk of numerous health problems and has become a major global health concern. This study aimed to establish the association between obesity and cognitive function among healthy school adolescents.

METHODS

This study was carried out by taking school adolescents (n = 400) from June 2016 to December 2017. The mean age of the participants was 13.93 ± 0.81 years. The students were divided into group A (obese, n = 223) and B (non-obese, n = 177). Cognitive functions were recorded as per study tool of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).

RESULTS

Severely obese students showed a significant delay in cognitive functions as compared to students with normal BMI. Attention Switching Task (AST)-Latency among students with normal BMI was 647.88 ± 137.59 compared to the students with high BMI (685.08 ± 115.92, p = 0.05), AST-Incongruent was 680.78 ± 142.07 versus 726.76 ± 122.31 (p = 0.02), AST-Percent correct trials was 84.31 ± 10.45 versus 78.09 ± 14.87 (p = 0.001), and Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED) Total errors among students with normal BMI was 33.93 ± 21.53 compared to the students with high BMI (42.86 ± 37.27, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Cognitive functions including AST-Latency, AST-Incongruent, AST-Percent correct trials, and IED Total errors were significantly weakened in markedly obese students. Significant impairments in their cognitive functions, especially attention, retention, intelligence, and cognitive flexibility, were observed. The findings of this study emphasize the need to involve school adolescents in physical activities to reduce body weight in order to have cognitive functions within normal range and also to minimize obesity-associated complications.

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight/ obesity among children and adolescents in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity can be defined as excessive and abnormal fat depositions in our body. They have become one of the emerging and serious public health concerns of the twenty-first century in low income countries like Ethiopia. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence and review associated risk factors of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents in Ethiopia.

METHOD

The articles were identified through explicit and reproducible electronic search of reputable databases (PubMed, Google scholar, Science Direct, EMBASE, Cochrane library), and the hand search of reference lists of previous prevalence studies to retrieve more related articles. The 18 studies were selected based on a comprehensive list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized and pre-tested data extraction checklist, and the analysis was done using STATA 14 statistical software. To assess heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q test statistic and I2 tests were used. Since the included studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity, a random effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of overweight/obesity. Moreover, the risk factors of overweight/obesity were reviewed.

RESULTS

The combined pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Ethiopia was 11.30% (95% CI: 8.71, 13.88%). Also, the separate pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity were 8.92 and 2.39%, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that the highest overweight/obesity prevalence among children and adolescents was observed in Addis Ababa, 11.94 (95% CI: 9.39, 14.50). Female gender of the children: 3.23 (95% CI 2.03,5.13), high family socioeconomic status: 3.16 (95% CI 1.87,5.34), learning in private school: 3.22 (95% CI 2.36,4.40), physical inactivity: 3.36 (95% CI 1.68,6.72), sweet nutriments preference: 2.78 (95% CI 1.97,3.93) and less use of fruits/vegetables: 1.39 (95% CI 1.10,1.75) have shown a positive association with the development of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

The pooled prevalence of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents in Ethiopia is substantially high, and has become an emerging nutrition linked problem. Female gender, high family socioeconomic status, learning in private school, physical inactivity, sweet nutriments preference and less use of fruits/vegetables were found to be significantly associated with overweight/obesity.

Systematic review of sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth: an update

This systematic review is an update examining the relationships between objectively and subjectively measured sedentary behaviour and health indicators in children and youth aged 5–17 years. EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Medline were searched in December 2014, and date limits were imposed (≥February 2010). Included studies were peer-reviewed and met the a priori-determined population (apparently healthy children and youth, mean age: 5–17 years), intervention (durations, patterns, and types of sedentary behaviours), comparator (various durations, patterns, and types of sedentary behaviours), and outcome (critical: body composition, metabolic syndrome/cardiovascular disease risk factors, behavioural conduct/pro-social behaviour, academic achievement; important: fitness, self-esteem) study criteria. Quality of evidence by outcome was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Due to heterogeneity, a narrative analysis was conducted. A total of 235 studies (194 unique samples) were included representing 1 657 064 unique participants from 71 different countries. Higher durations/frequencies of screen time and television (TV) viewing were associated with unfavourable body composition. Higher duration/frequency of TV viewing was also associated with higher clustered cardiometabolic risk scores. Higher durations of TV viewing and video game use were associated with unfavourable behavioural conduct/pro-social behaviour. Higher durations of reading and doing homework were associated with higher academic achievement. Higher duration of screen time was associated with lower fitness. Higher durations of screen time and computer use were associated with lower self-esteem. Evidence ranged from “very low” to “moderate” quality. Higher quality studies using reliable and valid sedentary behaviour measures should confirm this largely observational evidence.

Functional and Structural Impact of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 R219K and I883M Gene Polymorphisms in Obese Children and Adolescents

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) protein is known to mediate the transport of intracellular cholesterol and phospholipids across the cell membranes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between ABCA1 gene polymorphisms and overweight/obesity risk, and to evaluate their relation to the lipid profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included in silico analysis of ABCA1 gene and protein. Two genetic variants in ABCA1 gene-R219K (rs2230806; G/A) and I883M (rs2066714; A/G)-were genotyped in 128 normal weight and 128 overweight/obese subjects using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technology. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments were performed.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that the heterozygote GA genotype of R219K polymorphism increased susceptibility to obesity under the heterozygous model (odds ratio 2.75, 95 % CI 1.01-6.12; p = 0.014) compared with the control group. This susceptibility could be gender-specific, with higher risk among females. In addition, the A variant was associated with a higher degree of obesity (p < 0.001). On the other hand, individuals with the G variant of I883M polymorphism showed lower susceptibility to obesity under all genetic models (allelic, homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, and recessive models; p < 0.05), with no observed association with body mass index or degree of obesity. However, both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed significant differences in lipid levels among patients with different genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest that R219K and I883M SNPs of the ABCA1 gene may play a role in susceptibility to obesity in our Egyptian population; the former increases susceptibility and phenotype severity, and the latter is protective. Larger epidemiological studies are needed for validation of the results.

Risk Factors of Overweight and Obesity among High School Students in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia: School Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for diet-related noncommunicable diseases. These diseases are the fifth leading risks for global deaths. Virtually, all age groups are affected from consequences of overweight and obesity. Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted among 431 school adolescents. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire and physical measurements. The sex and age specific BMI was computed using WHO Anthroplus software and the data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results. The magnitudes of overweight and obesity were 12.3% and 4.4%, respectively, and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity together was 16.7%. Three-fourths of the respondents (74.7%) had healthy body mass index; however, 8.6% were underweight. Sex, frequency of eating food out of home, school type, family monthly income, family having vehicle, vigorous physical activity, and frequency of vigorous physical activity were statistically significant predictors of overweight and obesity. Conclusion. The problems of overweight and obesity are taking place while students are still under the risk of underweight. Several factors were correlated with overweight and obesity. Therefore, interventions targeting gender, frequency of eating food out of home, vigorous activities, and frequency of doing vigorous physical activity are recommended.