Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight among Public Primary School Students in Kirkuk City

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing in both developed and developing countries. The purpose  of this study was to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity among public primary school student's and to find out the relationship between BMI and some socio-demographical characteristics for the child and his family in Kirkuk city.Methodology: A cross sectional study (multistage) random sample, were carried out for a period from the 1^st of November ,2013 to the 1^st of March ,2014, it consisted of (566); (306) boys and (260) girls. The sample age ranged between (6 -12) years. A constructed questionnaire conducted for data collection. Height and weight were measured by the researchers in the school. The data was analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis (Frequency, Percentage %) and inferential statistic (chi-square).Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among public primary students was 24.2%, (18%) for overweight, (6.2%) for obese. A significant association was found between BMI category and some demographical characteristics for the child such as, age, grade, and being the only child in the family.Conclusions and Recommendations: The total prevalence of overweight and obese was (24.2%) among public primary school students. Further study needed to find out the association between body mass index and eating patterns among primary school students in Kirkuk city

Keywords: Prevalence, BMI, Public Primary School, Overweight, Obesity