Identification of Significant Risk Factors for Obesity Among Children Aged Five to Nine Years: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Aim: Being overweight or obese are characterized by excess fat accumulation and pose substantial health risks representing significant public health challenges in the 21st century. Overweight or obese children will potentially be overweight or obese adults in the future. Individuals who are obese during childhood are more likely to develop non-communicable chronic diseases at an earlier age compared to those who are not obese. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the obesity rates and the associated risk factors for obesity of primary school students in one of İzmir’s districts. Materials and Methods: This study focused on primary school students aged five to nine years in the Bayraklı district of the İzmir province. A total of 535 children were initially included in this study. We excluded 128 children who had chronic diseases or were taking medicine associated with obesity or those who did not agree to participate. The dependent variable was obesity and the independent variables were defined by socio-demographic and natal features, physical activities, eating habits, screen time (television and computer usage), family structure and parental weight. We administered a questionnaire to the parents and measured the children’s weight and height thus calculating their body mass index. Chi-square analysis, t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical calculations. A probability rate was used for obesity and overweight associated factors. Results: The mean age was 8±1.1 years for the 407 children. The overweight rate was 12% and the obesity rate was 12%. We detected that gender was not associated with obesity or being overweight (p=0.486). Birth weight (p<0.05), irregular meal times (p=0.007), eating snacks (p=0.027), high monthly income (p=0.026), maternal (p=0.03) and paternal (p<0.05) obesity or being overweight and being an only child (p=0.031) were found to be associated with obesity or being overweight for the child. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed elevated frequencies of being overweight or obese among children aged five to nine years in the Bayraklı district, comparable to rates observed in developed nations. High monthly income, being an only child, and parental obesity or being overweight were associated with the children’s obesity or being overweight. These results underscore the necessity for education among parents and caregivers regarding healthy and balanced nutrition practices.

Keywords

• pediatric obesity
• obesity risk factors
• obesity frequency