Magnitude of overweight/obesity and Associated factors among high school adolescents in Jigjiga city, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight/obesity results from excessive fat accumulation in the body and increases the risk of chronic diseases among adolescents in later life. Physical exercise and proper dietary intake is best strategy to prevent the development of adolescent overweight/obesity. However, there is limited evidence regarding the magnitude of overweight/obesity and associated factors among high school adolescents in Jigjiga city, Eastern Ethiopia. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of overweight/obesity and associated factors among high school adolescents in Jigjiga city, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used among 690 sample of high school adolescent in Jigjiga city from February 10-March 01. Participants were selected using Multi stage sampling. Data were collected by Self administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurement for measuring height, and weight by 10 data collectors who completed grade 10 or above. The collected data were entered onto Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Nutritional indices data was calculated using WHO-Anthroplus software version 1.0.4 software. Crude and Adjusted Odd Ratios was calculated to assess the magnitude of association between dependant and independent variable with 95% confidence interval. All variables with p value < 0.25 were entered into multivariable logistic regression model to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Level of statistical significance was declared at p value less than 0.05. RESULT: The magnitudes of overweight and obesity was 7.7 % [95% CI: (5.7, 10)] and 3.3 % [95% CI: (2, 4.8)], respectively.The combined pregnance was 11% [95% CI: (8.5, 13.3)]. Twothird of the respondents (66.7%) had normal body mass index; however, 22.6% were underweight. consuming egg five-seven times per week [AOR=8.91,95% CI:2.32, 34.29)], learning from private school [AOR=3.01, 95% CI:(1.33, 6.87)], having no close friend [AOR=7.13, 95% CI:(3.33, 15.29)], spending more than 5 hours on sitting or reclining in one day [AOR=2.83, 95% CI: (1.05, 7.62)], consuming fruit less than or equal two days per week [AOR=2.83, 95% CI :( 1.03, 7..62)], and less nutritional knowledge [AOR=3.27, 95% CI: (1.37, 6.9)] were statistically significant predictors of overweight and obesity. Conclusion: The magnitude of overweight/obesity was relatively high in the study area. Therefore, healthy food consumption habit, increasing physical activities, nutritional education, reducing sedentary activities, psychological support, and creating more awareness about overweight/obesity in school should be given due attention by all relevant stakeholders to curb problems of overweight/obesity among school adolescents