Risk Factors for Obesity in Adolescents Living in Rural Areas of Buryatia: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between early life factors, sociodemographic influences, behavioral characteristics and obesity in adolescents living in rural areas of Buryatia (Russia). Methods: A case-control study was performed. A total of 158 adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years of age (79 adolescents with normal weight and 79 adolescents with obesity) were included in the study. All the adolescents had their weight and linear growth measured, and BMI was calculated. Height and weight parameters were based on the reference values accepted by the WHO. Obesity was diagnosed at BMI ≥95th percentile The data on the variables of interest were obtained from questionnaires filled in by parents and adolescents and their medical records from local outpatient clinics. Results: The results showed that the adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for obesity were 1.15 (1.05–1.26), 4.87 (1.82–13.02), 3.08 (1.19–7.99) for maternal BMI, growth in infancy and unhealthy eating patterns, respectively. Breastfeeding longer than 12 months showed to play a protective role for the development of obesity in adolescence as compared to a shorter period of breastfeeding (OR=0.05, 95% CI: 0.006–0.40). Conclusion: Maternal BMI, rapid growth in infancy and unhealthy eating patterns are associated with increased risk of obesity in adolescents in rural areas of Buryatia, while long-term breastfeeding is a protective factor against obesity.

Keywords

• adolescents
• breastfeeding
• growth in infancy
• obesity
• parental body mass index