Prevalence and Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Primary School Children (9-14 Years) in a Selected Area of Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

introductionChildhood obesity is a threat worldwide; notably, some Asian nations are experiencing a shift toward obesity at a younger age. The context of overweight/obesity remains unexplored, more among younger age groups in Bangladesh. This study assessed prevalence and factors associated with overweight/obesity among 9-14-year-old school-going children studying in public and private primary schools in a selected area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study involved 150 children recruited from four purposively selected primary schools, following simple random sampling technique. Body mass index was assessed to classify children following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age and sex-specific cutoff points. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20, and Chi-square/Fisher's exact test was done to determine association.

resultsA higher prevalence of overweight/obesity was observed among boys (67.1%) compared to girls, and the mean age was 11.6 years. Overweight and obesity were prevalent among girls (35.7% and 17.9%, respectively) in public schools and boys (38.8% and 32.7%, respectively) in private schools. The magnitude was higher (>80.0%) among those not participating in sports at school (

conclusionsOverweight/obesity is prevalent among 9-14-year-old school-going children, and behavior factors are major determinants of childhood obesity. Effective public health interventions are required to address this emerging health problem.