Frequency of Obesity and Thinness among first grade Students of Imam Hossein Shahed Elementary School in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: The obesity epidemic, at one time confined to adults, has now penetrated the pediatric age range and shows every sign of a rapid escalation. Obese children may be at increased risk of becoming obese adults. The aim of this study was to determine the height and weight and body mass index of first grade students at Imam Hossein Shahed elementry School in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: Body weight was measured by digital Microlife scale and height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm with portable stadiometer in 51 first grade children aged 7-8 years. Results: A total of 51 first grade students were evaluated, 33 (64.17%) had normal body mass index, 4 (7.84%) were underweight, 11 (21.57%) were overweight and 3 (5.88%) were thin. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the prevalence of obesity was more pronounced than that of thinness in schoolchildren. Therefore, preventive measures for controlling obesity are necessary for public health promotion among schoolchildren.

Keywords

• obesity, thinness, first grade students