Prevalence of obesity among 6- to 13-year-old Kuwaiti children

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity among 6- to 13-year- old Kuwaiti children, and to investigate the familial and behavioural factors associated with obesity. Method: A cross-sectional multi-stage stratified random sample of 2,400 schoolchildren (1,256 males and 1,144 females) of ages 6-13 years was selected from the five governorates in Kuwait, between September 1995 and June 1996. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI, weight in kilograms per height in metres squared) >90th percentile of the age/sex-specific value of the National Centre of Health Statistics reference population. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, children's behavioural factors, and family history of related diseases in parents were collected by questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of obesity was 26.5% (95% confidence interval 24.7-28.3%). Obesity was more prevalent among the female children from urban areas. BMI was negatively correlated with the number of siblings and child birth order, and positively correlated with blood pressure, after controlling for age and sex. Logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between obesity and family history of obesity (odds ratio = 3.36, p < 0.0001), family history of hypertension (odds ratio = 1.37, p = 0.024), family history of diabetes (odds ratio = 1.57, p = 0.0004) in parents, child birth order (odds ratio = 1.82, p = 0.0002), and respiratory diseases in children (odds ratio = 2.08, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of obesity in Kuwaiti children is considered to be high. Obesity which is related to family, environment, and individual characteristics needs to be detected and corrected at a young age to prevent its consequences in adulthood.