PREVALENCE OF OBESITY IN CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 14 IN TAJIKISTAN FROM 2017 TO 2021

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of obesity among children aged 5 to 14 years in the Republic of Tajikistan (RT) from 2017 to 2021 Methods: The clinical data used for research was obtained from the Republican Center of Medical Statistics and Information of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the RT. The data covered the period from 2017 to 2021 and included obese children between the ages of 5 and 14. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the results, including data aggregation and trend line derivation. The range of values and their 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. For this purpose, absolute values were converted into rates per 10,000 children aged 5 to 14 Results: : According to the study results, the prevalence of obesity among children aged between 5 and 14 years has increased between 2017 and 2021. In 2017, there were approximately 28 obese children per 10,000, while by the end of 2021, this number had risen to 102 per 10,000 children. The study also found a significant increase in the number of obese children in the capital city of Dushanbe and the Sughd region. The number of obese children was higher in urban than rural areas. However, there is also a noticeable increase in the number of children with obesity in rural areas; at the same time, in urban areas, obesity is more prevalent in girls than in boys. Conclusion: The study showed a rapid increase in childhood obesity rates, particularly in urban areas. To mitigate this issue, it is essential to utilize specialized programs.

Keywords

• children
• obesity
• epidemiology
• urban/rural healthcare
• body mass index (bmi)
• morbidity
• rising morbidity