Contribution of Dietary Practices and Physical Activity to Overweight and Obesity Among Children 6-11 Years Attending Selected Public Schools in Nairobi City, Kenya

Background: Childhood overweight & obesity have escalated to concerning proportions, with a growing number of lives being claimed from its complications annually, and an increasing GDP being used in treatment worldwide. The gravity of this issue lies in its potential long-term health ramifications, necessitating a profound understanding of the driving factors. A concerning prevalence continues to be documented not only in developed countries but also in developing economies. This study investigated contributors to obesity and overweight in 6–11-year-olds in Nairobi City County schools. Method: A cross-sectional study design was used in this research. The sample size of 129 was from 4 randomly selected schools in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya. The 6–11-year-olds were mainly from grades 1 to 6. Structured questionnaires and focused group discussions were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20, ENA for SMART software (version 2010), and WHO AnthroPlus (BMI-for-Age Z-scores). Descriptive and inferential statistics were done. In inferential statistics, P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Response rate was at 97%, with most of the children being female 65 (51.6%), while males were 61 (48.4%). From the ones who filled the questionnaire, majority were married 85 (67.5%), and were mothers, 102 (81%). 83.3% of the households purchased food, and over half, 71 (56.3%) spent KES 251-500 on food daily. The mean calorie consumption in a day was 2,260.58 Kcals, with females having slightly higher intake, 2271.01 Kcal. Most of the children, 68 (58.9%) consumed higher than the estimated energy requirement and had a medium food diversity score 93 (73%). The majority of the children had moderate physical activities (49.7%). Overweight and obesity were at 3 (2.38%). Dietary habits and physical activity were significantly linked to overweight/ obesity, statistical analysis (P = 0.009 / 0.041, respectively). Conclusion: Overweight & obesity was uncovered to be related to children's dietary practices as well as physical activity levels, according to the results. Therefore, it is essential to implement thorough nutrition education for both parents and children, encourage a variety of recreational activities in schools, and uphold healthy nutrition standards for meals and canteen foods as vital measures in addressing overweight & obesity in Kenya and beyond. Key words: Obesity, Overweight, Physical activity, Children, Diet