Determining the Risk Factors Related with Obesity and Overweight in Junior High School Students: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed as a case control study with the purpose of determining the causes of obesity and being overweight in Turkish junior high students. Material and Methods: The case group included 72 students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades who were observed to be obese or overweight. The control group included 72 students who were considered to be of normal weight, study sample included totally 144 students. The study data were collected during personal interviews using the survey form. The researchers used estimated relative risk and confidence interval calculations, to determine the risk factors of obesity. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The important risk factors found in this study were: 1) not having breakfast (OR:3.8.40, CI:1.798-8.200), 2) skipping meals (OR:2.949, CI:1.466-5.937), 3) having obese family members (OR:2.471, CI:1.264-4.833), 4) being physically inactive between lessons (OR:2.588, CI:1.297-5.167), 5) coming from a family of at least five members (OR:2.101, CI:1.075- 4.108), and 6) watching tv or using the computer two hours or longer daily (OR:2.2004, CI:1.313- 4.096). There was no correlation between obesity and sex, education levels of parents, birth weight, having been breast fed, eating while watching TV, daily duration of sleep, perception of income, school achievement, being certified in sports activities, and the frequency of being active. Conclusion: In this study, the risk factors for obesity were: Not having breakfast, a lack of physical activity between lessons, having five or more members in the family, and watching TV or using the computer two hours or longer daily.