Predictors of Obesity among Adolescents in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Childhood obesity is becoming a public health concern [1-4]. This is because it is associated with significant morbidity such as hypertension, premature puberty/adrenache, hypovitaminosis D, osteopenia/ osteoporosis and mortality [5-7]. It is also a risk factor for adult obesity [8,9]. The prevalence of childhood obesity globally ranges from 0.1% to 14% with higher rates in Europe [10]. In Nigeria, childhood obesity occurs in 3.3% of children [10,11]. As Nigerians adopt western lifestyles, the prevalence of obesity is expected to increase among children and adults. Obesity is a preventable disease. Identification of its predictors among children will help to mount effective preventable strategies. Prevention of childhood obesity may help curb the scourge of adult obesity, in addition to its associated morbidity.