What does this research mean for the field?

Lifestyle behaviors and socioeconomic factors exhibit complex, gender-specific associations with childhood obesity, where factors such as fast-food consumption and being an only child increase obesity risk in boys but decrease it in girls. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the relationships between lifestyle behaviours, socioeconomic factors, and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents in Punjab, Pakistan.

June 7, 2026Open Access

Association of Lifestyle Behaviours and Socioeconomic Disparities with Overweight and Obesity Among School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Key Points

To examine the relationships between lifestyle behaviours, socioeconomic factors, and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents in Punjab, Pakistan.
Population-based cross-sectional design with 4,108 children and adolescents (9-17 years)
Assessment of lifestyle behaviours via validated questionnaires and BMI classification following WHO guidelines
Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for gender, grade, and socioeconomic variables.
Prevalence of overweight was 19.4% and obesity was 10.7% among children.
Obesity in boys significantly associated with urban residence (AOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.13-1.83), being an only child (AOR 2.74; 95% CI 1.92-3.92), and frequent fast-food consumption (AOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.23-1.97).
Among girls, long weekend sleep duration increased obesity risk (AOR 1.38; 95% CI 1.14-1.67), while lower odds linked to being an only child (AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25-0.52) and frequent fast-food consumption (AOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.50-0.80).

Abstract

This population-based cross-sectional study investigated the associations of sleep, nutrition, and physical activity with overweight and obesity among 4,108 school-aged children and adolescents (9-17 years) in Punjab, Pakistan, alongside 3,371 parental responses. Body mass index was calculated using anthropometric measurements, and weight status was classified according to the 2007 World Health Organization growth reference. Socioeconomic status was determined through parental education, occupation, and household income, while lifestyle behaviours were assessed via validated questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for gender, grade, and socioeconomic variables. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Girls had a higher obesity prevalence than boys (12.3% vs. 8.9%), whereas boys showed a higher combined prevalence of overweight and obesity. Among boys, obesity was significantly associated with urban residence (AOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.13-1.83), being an only child (AOR 2.74; 95% CI 1.92-3.92), frequent fast-food consumption (≥3 times/week; AOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.23-1.97), and lower parental education (AOR 1.22; 95% CI 1.05-1.41). Among girls, long weekend sleep duration increased obesity risk (AOR 1.38; 95% CI 1.14-1.67), while being an only child (AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25-0.52), frequent fast-food consumption (AOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.50-0.80), and lower parental education (AOR 0.81; 95% CI 0.70-0.94) were linked to lower odds. Physical activity and soft drink intake were not significant after adjustment. These findings underscore complex, gender-specific relationships between lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions promoting healthy sleep, nutrition, and equity-focused strategies.

Bookmark

View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Tanveer et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a250b8b7def13d035e1b96a https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114526107715

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

Bookmark

View Full Paper