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PubMed2003

Risk factors for childhood overweight in 6- to 7-y-old Hong Kong children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for overweight in Hong Kong children aged 6-7 y. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Student Health Service Centres, Hong Kong. SUBJECTS: A total of 343 Hong Kong Chinese children aged 6-7 y old categorised into three groups, an overweight group (> or =92 nd centile for BMI), a normal middle-weight group (45th-55th centile for BMI) and a normal low-weight group (< or =8th centile for BMI). MEASUREMENTS: Subjects and their parents/caregivers were interviewed at home. Data on lifestyle habits, dietary habits, family structure and demographic background were collected by questionnaire. A 3-day dietary record was administrated by the parents/caregivers to assess dietary intake of the children. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses (overweight group compared with middle-weight plus low-weight groups) showed that childhood overweight was significantly associated with parental obesity (BMI > or =25 kg/m(2), Asian reference) (paternal: OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.51-4.70; maternal: 5.07, 2.62-9.79) but not parental overweight (BMI=23-25 kg/m(2)). After adjustment for parental obesity, the odds ratio for childhood overweight was increased by birth weight (<3.0 kg as reference, 3.0-3.5 kg: 2.13, 1.18-3.84; > or =3.5 kg: 4.89, 2.49-9.60) and decreased by sleeping duration (<9 h/day as reference, 9-11 h/day: 0.54, 0.30-0.97; > or =11 h/day: 0.31, 0.11-0.87). Childhood overweight was also significantly associated with higher energy consumption (2.62, 1.20-5.74) and having a father who was a current smoker (2.08, 1.25-3.46). CONCLUSIONS: Although healthy diet and regular exercise will remain the cornerstones of obesity management in children, our data support the view that education about maintaining a healthy weight could be introduced much earlier in those families with high-risk children, as indicated by high parental BMI or high birth weight. The utility and practicality of such an approach should be carefully evaluated before becoming part of any public health policy. Further study of the role of short sleeping duration and parental smoking on childhood obesity development is warranted.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed2004

Short-term predictors of overweight in early adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: To identify short-term predictors of risk for overweight in early adolescence in a sample of Caucasian origin subjects, in Cyprus. SUBJECTS: A total of 357 subjects (178 males) with baseline age 11.5+/-0.4 y were re-evaluated after a mean of 1.6+/-0.5 y. MEASUREMENTS: Body weight and height, calculated body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure at baseline and follow-up. Serum lipids were determined at baseline. Obesity and overweight were defined at baseline and follow-up, according to the International Obesity Task Force data set. Socioeconomic class was determined. Self-reported parental weight and height were used to calculate the parental BMI. BMI tracking and changes in BMI categories were calculated (with 95% confidence interval (CI)). The future risk of overweight in baseline normal weight subjects was predicted using logistic regression analyses, where only normal weight subjects at baseline were included. RESULTS: More males remained in the overweight or obese category than females: 86.7% (95% CI: 73.2, 94.9) vs 71.8% (95% CI: 55.1, 85.0), respectively, P=0.03. The identified predictors for future overweight were paternal obesity, odds ratio (OR): 7.1 (95% CI: 1.3, 38.0), systolic blood pressure >95th percentile, OR: 8.9 (95% CI: 1.9, 41.7), high triglyceride levels, OR: 4.2 (95% CI: 1.0, 16.9) and low HDL-cholesterol levels, OR: 7.6 (95% CI: 1.7, 34.3). CONCLUSIONS: Triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol levels have been proved predictors for overweight in early adolescence for the first time. The different sex pattern in BMI tracking observed, and also the different environmental influences on future overweight risk compared to other studies, indicate that local circumstances should be considered when implementing national intervention strategies for the prevention of obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

High prevalence of overweight in a stable Spanish hemodialysis population: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: In the general population, the prevalence of overweight is high and is considered a mortality risk factor. In maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients reports regarding overweight and its predictors are scarce. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of overweight in MHD patients, supplemented with additional follow-up data on mortality. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of 190 white, noncomplicated patients on MHD recruited from 5 Spanish dialysis centers. Three anthropometric indexes were scored (relative body weight, skinfold thickness, and midarm muscle circumference), and body mass index (BMI) and dietary intake during a 5-day period were recorded. Patient survival was evaluated during a mean follow-up period of 25 +/- 20 months. RESULTS: Undernutrition (score < 7) was detected in only 15% of patients, and no patient had severe malnutrition (score < 4). The percentage of patients scored below 7, was similar in nondiabetics and type 2 diabetic patients, whereas it was significantly higher in type 1 diabetics (P =.002). Notably, 38% of patients (38% of nondiabetics, 50% of type 2 diabetics, and none of the type 1 diabetics) were overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2)). To evaluate the predictors of overweight, a stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed entering age, sex, time on dialysis, caloric intake normalized for ideal energy requirements, and protein intake. Overweight was independently influenced only by ageing (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.07; P =.0007) and female gender (OR, 2.05; CI, 1.09-3.86; P <.0001). By Cox proportional multivariate analysis, survival was positively influenced by BMI (RR, 0.88, CI, 0.79-0.97; P <.01). As expected, albumin also had a positive influence whereas age and diabetes had a negative influence on survival. This preliminary result suggests that a higher BMI may exert a protective role on survival. CONCLUSION: Overweight represents the predominant nutritional abnormality in our MHD population, especially in the elderly, women, and type 2 diabetics.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Overweight concerns and body dissatisfaction among third-grade children: the impacts of ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of overweight concerns and body dissatisfaction among third-grade girls and boys and the influences of ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES). STUDY DESIGN: Nine hundred sixty-nine children (mean age, 8.5 years) attending 13 northern California public elementary schools completed assessments of overweight concerns, body dissatisfaction, and desired shape, height, and weight. RESULTS: The sample was 44% white, 21% Latino, 19% non-Filipino Asian American, 8% Filipino, and 5% African American. Twenty-six percent of boys and 35% of girls reported wanting to lose weight, and 17% of boys and 24% of girls reported dieting to lose weight. Among girls, Latinas and African Americans reported significantly more overweight concerns than Asian Americans and Filipinas, and Latinas reported significantly more overweight concerns than whites. White and Latina girls also reported greater body dissatisfaction than Asian American girls. Some differences persisted even after controlling for actual body fatness. Higher SES African American girls reported significantly more overweight concerns than lower SES African American girls, but higher SES white girls reported less overweight concerns than lower SES white girls. CONCLUSION: Overweight concerns and body dissatisfaction are highly prevalent among third-grade girls and boys, across ethnicity and SES. Young Latina and African American girls manifest equivalent or higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors as white and Asian American girls.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence and determinants of stunting and overweight in 3-year-old black South African children residing in the Central Region of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of stunting, wasting and overweight and their determinants in 3-year-old children in the Central Region of Limpopo Province, South Africa. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rural villages in the Central Region of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty-two children who were followed from birth were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic characteristics of the children were recorded. RESULTS: Height-for-age Z-scores were low, with a high prevalence of stunting (48%). The children also exhibited a high prevalence of overweight (22%) and obesity (24%). Thirty-one (19%) children were both stunted and overweight. Gaining more weight within the first year of life increased the risk of being overweight at 3 years by 2.39 times (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96-4.18) while having a greater length at 1 year was protective against stunting (odds ratio (OR) 0.41; 95% CI 0.17-0.97). Having a mother as a student increased the risk for stunting at 3 years by 18.21 times (95% CI 9.46-34.74) while having a working mother increased the risk for overweight by 17.87 times (95% CI 8.24-38.78). All these factors also appeared as risks or as being protective in children who were both overweight and stunted, as did living in a household having nine or more persons (OR 5.72; 95% CI 2.7-12.10). CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the importance of evaluating anthropometric status in terms of both stunting and overweight. Furthermore, it is important to realise the importance of normal length and weight being attained at 1 year of age, since these in turn predict nutritional status at 3 years of age.

Body Height↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Race differences in the relationships between dietary nutrients and overweight in women.

Increasingly overweight is a health problem in the United States, especially for African American (AA) women. Height, weight, and 24-hour dietary recall measurements from 46 European American (EA) and 44 AA women were used to assess the relationships between nutrients and overweight and the possible modifying effects of race. Significant race interactions were found when assessing the relationships between overweight and fats and mineral supplements. More EA women were overweight who had excessive fat intake, whereas more AA women were overweight who had appropriate fat intake. This reversed pattern for AA women was unexpected. Another unexpected finding was that overweight EA women used mineral supplements more frequently than nonoverweight EA women. These results were discussed in terms of energy imbalances, metabolic differences, and cultural differences. Additional studies of overweight assessing race and other biological factors that also include measures of energy expenditure and more precise measures of dietary energy intake are recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Trends in overweight and obesity among 18-year-old males in Sweden between 1971 and 1995.

The aims of the study are to analyse Swedish trends in overweight and obesity-as measured by body mass index (BMI)-between 1971 and 1995, and to examine socioeconomic and geographic differences between groups of individuals on the basis of information on 18-y-old military conscripts. The study population comprises all males born in 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, and between 1973 and 1977, reported to be living in Sweden at 17 y of age according to nationwide population registers (RTPs). Utilizing the unique personal ID number, sociodemographic data in the RTPs and in Population and Housing censuses were linked to data on BMI in the national Military Service Conscription Registry for the years 1971 to 1995. These data were obtained from compulsory medical examinations held at military induction at 18 y of age. BMI data were available for 448 732 (89%) of a total of 503 689 subjects. Mean BMI increased by 6.6% over the study period-from 21.1 kg/m2 in 1971 to 22.4 kg/m2 in 1995. Unadjusted trend analyses showed a 2.4 times increase in the prevalence of overweight among 18-y-old males over the period-from 6.9% in 1971 to 16.3% in 1995. Over the same years, the prevalence of obesity increased 3.5 times-from 0.9% to 3.2%. After adjustment for muscle power, demographic factors, and living area, the prevalence of overweight was found to have increased 1.4 times, and obesity 1.7 times between 1971 and 1993. The prevalence of overweight was considerably higher among 18-y-old males from low-educated families than among those from high-educated families in both 1971 and 1995. The prevalence of overweight was also found to be higher in both 1971 and 1995 among young men from rural and/or sparsely populated areas than among those living in Sweden's largest cities. Mean BMI, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity have increased among 18-y-old males in Sweden over the last 24 y. The increased risk of overweight among young men from low-educated families and those from rural and/or sparsely populated areas detected in 1971 was still evident in 1995.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Long-term food stamp program participation is differentially related to overweight in young girls and boys.

This paper examines the relation between long-term Food Stamp Program (FSP) participation and overweight in children using data on children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Child Sample. A child was categorized as overweight if his or her BMI was >/= the 95th percentile of sex- and age-specific BMI. The data were arranged as a panel with multiple observations per child, and the preferred models of overweight included long-term FSP participation, additional demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental characteristics, and child fixed effects. Child fixed effects were used to take into account unobserved differences across children that did not vary over time. The models were estimated separately for younger (5-11 y old) and older (12-18 y old) children. In Ordinary Least Squares models, long-term FSP participation was positively and significantly related to overweight in young girls (P = 0.048), and negatively and significantly related to overweight in young boys (P = 0.100). Compared with girls and boys whose families did not participate in the FSP during the previous 5 y, FSP participation during all of the previous 5 y was associated with a 42.8% increase for young girls and a 28.8% decrease for young boys in the predicted probability of overweight. Long-term FSP participation was not significantly related to overweight in older children. Although these models did not control for food insecurity, the potential role of food insecurity in FSP participation was considered in the interpretation of the relation between FSP participation and child weight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Overweight and obesity among Kuwait Oil Company employees: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are considered major risk factors for many diseases, and their prevalence is known to be high in Kuwait from previous studies. AIM: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and related risk factors among Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) employees. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of full-time KOC employees was carried out using a structured questionnaire that was completed during periodic medical examinations. The questionnaire included demographic details, frequency and duration of physical activity, history of chronic diseases and medication. All participants were counselled and examined. Blood pressure, body mass index and fasting glucose were recorded. RESULTS: Some 3282 out of 3900 employees completed the study; 85% of participants were male, 62%were field workers and 38%were office workers. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity among KOC employees was 75%. Males showed a higher level of overweight and obesity (79%) than females (56%). Field workers had a higher level of overweight and obesity (78%) and higher inactivity (65%) than office workers (72% and 56%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity, together with inactivity, are highly prevalent among KOC employees, and more so among field workers than office workers. Encouraging an active lifestyle, healthy eating habits and weight control programmes are all possible interventions to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Difference in dietary intake and activity level between normal-weight and overweight or obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in an adolescent group representative of a rural Mediterranean area and to determine possible associations with energy and nutrient intakes and levels of physical exercise. METHODS: A representative sample of adolescents was drawn from the secondary school of Torre Pacheco (Murcia), a rural Mediterranean area located in the southeast of Spain. The population selected (331 adolescents aged 14-18 years), was divided into two groups: normal-weight subjects with a body mass index less than 23 kg/m2 and overweight or obese subjects with a body mass index of 23 kg/m2 or more. Weight, height, abdominal and hip perimeters, triceps skinfold, and upper arm circumference were measured. A prospective 7-consecutive-days food record and physical activity questionnaire were completed. RESULTS: Overweight boys and girls had an apparently lower energy intake (P = 0.001 and P = 0.042, respectively), and carbohydrate intake (P = 0.000, P = 0.032) than their normal-weight counterparts, but they tended to underreport more often. Overweight boys derived a greater percentage of their energy from fat (P = 0.049) and less from carbohydrate (P = 0.016) than their normal-weight counterparts. Among girls, the percentage of energy derived from fat increased with body mass index (r = 0.210, P = 0.008), whereas fiber intake decreased (r = -0.145; P = 0.041). Overweight and obesity were negatively related to physical activity level only among boys (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adolescent population studied (48.2% in boys and 30.7% in girls). The study shows an association between overweight and obesity and nutrient intake and activity level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Overweight children in Beirut: prevalence estimates and characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate, for the first time, overweight prevalence and associated characteristics in a representative sample of prepubertal children in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with a home interview including measurements of weight and height and a structured questionnaire. SUBJECTS: A total of 234 children aged 6-8 years in Beirut: 131 boys, 103 girls. METHODS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was based on the international cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) by age and gender proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. The characteristics of overweight examined were: age, gender, household and family size, single- vs. two-parent family, parents' level of education and profession, physical activity and dietary intake of children. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26% and 7% respectively in boys, 25% and 6% in girls. Overweight was significantly associated with low physical activity (P < 0.05) and mother's BMI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a high proportion of overweight in 6- to 8-year-old children in Beirut. Reduced physical activity was the most significant factor associated with childhood overweight. Further studies in different regions in Lebanon are necessary to identify national characteristics; prevention efforts will be designed accordingly.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2005

Overweight and obesity in Irish primary schools: retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective cohort study investigates the feasibility of using established methods and routinely generated data from the statutory primary school health-screening programme to estimate prevalence rates for childhood overweight and obesity in children from a rural area in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). METHOD: Paper-based records in the primary school health service for County Leitrim and parts of County Cavan in north-west of ROI were hand searched to identify children attending senior infant classes during academic year 2001/2002. Electronic calculation of body mass index (BMI) and age at examination was carried out. Application of age- and sex-specific cut-off points from International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and United Kingdom (UK) standard definitions for childhood overweight and obesity was used to determine age- and sex-specific prevalence rates for childhood overweight and obesity. RESULTS: The eligible cohort was almost completely identified and consisted of 361 children. Weight and height measurements were available on 328 (91%) children aged between 4.22 and 7.92 years. IOTF standard application gave prevalence rates of 25% for obesity and overweight in boys and 26% in girls. With the UK growth standard, this increased to 34% in boys and reduced to 23% in girls. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to generate prevalence rates for childhood overweight and obesity from data routinely obtained through the statutory school health-screening programme in ROI. This study suggests levels of childhood overweight and obesity comparable to other Western societies. Further research on developing a universally accepted standard definition of childhood overweight and obesity is required.

Body Height↗
PubMed1997

Recommendations from overweight youth regarding school-based weight control programs.

This study aimed to obtain recommendations from overweight youth on the development of school-based weight control programs; to determine their level of interest in participation; and to learn about the outcomes they desired from such a program. Because obesity is prevalent among youth of certain minority groups and low socioeconomic backgrounds, and since few programs address the needs of these youth, the study population was selected from inner city public schools with high percentages of youth from minority groups and low socioeconomic backgrounds. Sixty-one overweight adolescents participated in semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews, which were audiotaped, transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Findings indicated that many overweight adolescents were interested in participating in school-based weight control programs, provided they are conducted in a supportive manner; offer enjoyable activities; are informative; are sensitive to the needs of overweight youth; and do not conflict with other activities. Adolescents stressed the importance of a program leader who understands the difficulties that overweight youth face, and many expressed their preference for a leader who is currently overweight or had been overweight in the past.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Is being overweight associated with behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence? Findings from the Mater-University study of pregnancy and its outcomes.

AIMS: To examine the associations between being overweight and behavioural problems at ages 5 and 14. METHODS: Birth cohort study of 2875 individuals who were born in Brisbane between 1981 and 1984 and who were followed up at ages 5 and 14 years. Behavioural problems were defined as scoring above the 90th centile on Achenbach's child behavioural checklist. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses there was no association between being overweight and behavioural problems in either females at age 5. At age 14 females who were overweight were more likely than those who were normal weight to experience behavioural problems. However, there was no association between being overweight and behavioural problems at age 14 among males. The prevalence of behavioural problems increased linearly across the distribution of body mass index in females at age 14. In prospective analyses, among participants who had no behavioural problems at age 5, there was no association between being overweight at age 5 and behavioural problems at age 14 in either sex. Females who were overweight at age 5 and normal weight at age 14 had reduced odds of behavioural problems at age 14. CONCLUSIONS: Among adolescent females there is a positive linear association between body size and behavioural problems. However, no such association was found in adolescent males, or in either sex at age 5 years, and in prospective analyses being overweight at age 5 was not associated with behavioural problems in either sex at age 14.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Effect of dietary consumption, advanced age and overweight on the physical characteristics of cholesterol gallstones and biliary lipid composition in west Algerian women.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, overweight and food consumption on the number and size of cholesterol stones and bile composition in west Algerian women undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis. Patients were divided into four groups according to body mass index (BMI, weight/height(2), kg/m(2)) and age. The highest number of patients with cholesterol gallstones was observed in the older women, in particular in those being overweight. In all patients, the stone number and size was approximately similar. The same dietary consumption was observed in older and young patients. Overweight patients were characterized by higher energy consumption (14.5 +/- 2.0 MJ x day(-1)) versus normal-weight patients (10.6 +/- 1.3 MJ x day(-1); p < 0.01) and versus Mediterranean diet (8 MJ x day(-1)). In normal-weight patients, the cholesterol saturation index (CSI) was higher in older patients (+56%) versus young patients while it diminished (-53%) in older overweight versus young patients. In older patients, the CSI was fourfold higher in normal-weight compared to overweight patients (p < 0.001). In conclusion, differences in food consumption were noted in overweight patients compared to normal-weight patients. Advanced age and overweight impaired biliary lipid composition, increased the number of patients with cholesterol gallstones but did not significantly affect the physical characteristics of west Algerian women.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Overweight and hypertension: data from the 1992-1993 Mexican survey.

Data of the 1992-1993 Mexican Survey of Chronic Diseases in the Urban Adult Population were analyzed to investigate the effects of age and sex on the association between overweight and hypertension. Blood pressure, body weight, and height were measured in a group of 13,945 Mexicans aged 20 to 69 years living in towns and cities larger than 15,000 people. Hypertension was defined following the recommendations of the Joint National Committee for Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure-V. Overweight was defined following the recommendations of the National Institutes of Health Consensus on Health and Obesity. The prevalence of types of hypertension was higher in men than in women, particularly in the groups of 20 to 39 years of age. Cross-classification of subjects according to the presence of hypertension and overweight confirmed the association between both variables. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals indicated that overweight was associated with systolic and diastolic hypertension and with isolated diastolic hypertension in women and, to a lesser extent, in men. This association was not found in the 60- to 69-year group in both sexes. Overweight did not show significant association with isolated systolic hypertension in both sexes. Results of a multiple logistic regression analysis of overweight on hypertension, controlling for age and sex, were consistent with these findings. It is suggested that other factors, independent of overweight, explain the observed gender-specific differences in the prevalence of hypertension in younger age groups. The hormonal environment of young women is one of the mentioned factors modifying the prevalence of hypertension in this group of the Mexican urban adult population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pressor factors and cardiovascular pressor responsiveness in lean and overweight normal or hypertensive subjects.

Several blood-pressure-regulating factors including exchangeable sodium, blood volume, plasma renin, aldosterone, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E) levels, urinary catecholamine excretion rates, and cardiovascular responsiveness to infused NE and angiotensin II (AII) were compared among age-matched subgroups of normal subjects (15 with normal weight, 15 with overweight) and patients with essential hypertension (15 with either normal weight, overweight, or obesity). Exchangeable sodium, blood volume, plasma and urinary sodium and potassium, plasma renin, aldosterone and epinephrine levels, and NE or E excretion rates did not differ significantly among the five subgroups. Minimal differences included a slightly higher heart rate in overweight patients than in overweight normal subjects (p less than 0.01) and a tendency for a higher plasma NE in overweight than in normal weight patients. Plasma NE obtained immediately before NE infusion as well as the plasma clearance of NE did not differ among the five subgroups except, however, for a somewhat low NE clearance in obese patients. The NE pressor dose tended to be lower in normal-weight hypertensive than in normal-weight normotensive subjects. No alteration was apparent in overweight or obese hypertensive patients. Pressor responses to AII were similar in the different subgroups. These findings suggest that overweight does not confer a unique aberration in the body sodium-volume state, circulating renin, aldosterone or catecholamines, or cardiovascular responses to NE or AII which result in hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Factors associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti kindergarten children aged 3-5 years.

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti children aged 3-5 years. A cross-sectional sample of 3473 pupils (1748 boys and 1725 girls) was selected for the study from kindergartens using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Overweight and obesity were defined as weight-for-height (W/H) > or = 90th-< 95th and > or = 95th centiles of the NCHS/CDC reference population, respectively. Questionnaires were used to obtain information about birth order, parents' education and occupation, family income, number of servants, eating habits, grandparents and number of persons living at home, number of siblings, socioeconomic status (SES), which was based on parents' education and occupation, family income, area of residence and number of servants. Weight and height were measured and the pupils' dental status was assessed. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity were gender, age, region (governorate), parents' education, birth order, dental status, eating regular meals and SES. Factors that were significantly associated with overweight and obesity males were age, governorate eating regular meals, number of persons living at home and SES. Among females these factors were governorate, dental status, number of servants and SES. The logistic regression analysis showed that the same factors shared by both genders significantly contributed to the development of overweight and obesity except father's education. This study concludes that ecological factors play an important role in the development of overweight and obesity, especially those related to affluence; Kuwait has been undergoing modernization and increasing affluence and changes to sedentary lifestyle and increased food consumption may have contributed to changes in overweight and obesity among the children.

Age Distribution↗