Overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Sana'a City, Yemen

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Sana'a City (Yemen) and to examine the association with lifestyle and some socioeconomic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in public and private schools in Sana'a City during 2002-2003. We selected 1,253 students by the multistage random sampling technique. Weights and heights were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI = weight/height2). Data about age, sex, education level of the parents, food consumption and lifestyle was also collected. Results: The mean age of the children was 12.6 ± 2 years. Overweight was 6.2% and obesity was 1.8%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among private schoolchildren (p < 000), females (p = 0.002), children with a sedentary lifestyle (p = 0.001) and children with a family history of obesity (p = 0.013). Also there is a positive association of overweight/obesity with the education level of the parents (p = 0.013 for the father and p = 0.19 for the mother) and consumption of unhealthy foods. Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight and obesity is low and positively associated with the education level of the father, private schooling, sedentary lifestyle, and with students who took unhealthy meals. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG.