Assessment of Risk Factors for Obesity among School aged Children in Basra city

Background : Overweight and obesity is a health problem in both developed and developing countries.Objective: to determine risk factors among school aged children and to establish the food consumption patterns of the children . Material and methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at school of Basra city, from January to fib wary 2019.A total sample of 600 children were included 400 male and 200 female , were area of sample 200 rural 100 male,100 female and 400 urban 300 male, 100 female in the study.Multi stage systematic random sampling technique was used.Three parts , the part one about socio-demographic characteristic of children the part two physical activity and part three information about dietary habits the pattern was obtained by direct interview method.Weight and height of all subjects were measured according to standard procedures using standard equipment ( tape measure , weight measuring device ).BMI for age was calculated using WHO charts.Results : 66.6 % of the sample male and 33.4 % of the sample female , the group age of the sample were between 10-11 years 86.3 % and job of mother high percentage housewife 74.6 % , the means of transport high percentage walking 53 % , spare time high percentage television 51.8 % , high percentage the sample overweight (243) 40.5 % , high percentage female in urban area ( overweight ) 67 % , the lower percentage underweight 8 % , were the female in rural area and the male in rural area high percentage underweight 64 % .the chi square values between sample activities school provides sports time, children activities at school, school provides games, enjoy a sports lesson, movement within the school are highly significant.the chi square values between sample nutritional status eat sweets between meals , how many times do you eat a day , types snacks or sweets preferred by children are highly significant and children go to school without meal, who chooses the snack or sweets for children are non significant.Conclusion: Overweight and obesity is a health problem in both developed and developing countries.Unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle are the major risk factors for obesity in school aged children.