Overweight/Obesity and Associated Factors among Second Cycle Primary School Children in Kirkos Sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Globally, Three hundred forty million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016. Overweight/obesity is becoming a public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia. However, there is paucity of evidence on the magnitude of overweight/obesity and associated factors among school age children in low income countries like Ethiopia including the study area. Objective: To assess the magnitude of Overweight/Obesity and Associated Factors among Second cycle primary School Children in Kirkos Sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: School based cross-sectional study design was used. Anthropometric measurements and interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire were used to collect the data. Bivariable logistic regressions analyses were used to see the association between overweight/obesity and each independent variable. All variables with p-value less than 0.25 during bivariable analyses were entered to multivariable logistic regression model to control all possible confounders and to identify factors associated with overweight/obesity. Odd ratios along with 95% confidence interval were estimated to measure the strength of association. Level of statistical significance was declared at p-value less than or equal to 0.05. Result: The overall magnitude of overweight/Obesity was 21.2% [95% CI: (17.5%, 24.82%)]. Vehicle availability [AOR= 5.35; 95% CI: (2.72, 10.51)], being from private school [AOR= 10.7; 95% CI: (4.53, 25.37)], not having friend [AOR= 4.8; 95% CI: (1.96, 11.75)], sweet food preference [AOR= 5.4; 95% CI: (2.73, 10.62)], eating breakfast irregularly [AOR= 6.5; 95% CI: (3.41, 12.26)], habit of watching Television while eating [AOR= 3; 95% CI: (1.51, 6.16)], physical inactivity [AOR= 4.9; 95% CI: (1.24, 19.02)] were significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusion: The magnitude of overweight/obesity among school children was found to be high and becoming a public health threat. Vehicle availability, school type, having friend, eating behaviors, habit of watching television while eating and physical inactivity were the predictors of overweight/obesity. Promoting a healthy life style including encouraging healthy diet and regular physical activity are essential preventive measures