Socio-behavioral factors associated with overweight and obesity among school children in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Family medicine-Faculty of Medicine- Menoufiya University

2 Family Medicine department,Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University.

Abstract

Abstract:

Background: Childhood obesity is a global and top public pandemic health problem. It’s a complex and multifactorial disease. Behavioral, socio-environmental, and psychological aspects are considered causative factors for childhood obesity. Overweight and obese children are susceptible to adulthood obesity and to have many chronic diseases because of the state of chronic inflammation with obesity.

Objectives: was to assess the prevalence of obesity and identify the socio-behavioral factors related to overweight and obesity among school children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from the first of April 2022, till the end of July 2023. The study included 134 school children aged 6-14years. The weight and height of the studied children were examined for calculation of BMI. A questionnaire was used to assess social and behavioral factors. The social factors were assessed by a validated questionnaire for scaling the socioeconomic level. The behavioral factors were assessed by a validated questionnaire, Child Eating Behavioral Questionnaire (CEBQ). The Questionnaire was filled by mothers after being trained.

Results: Overweight and obese children were 24.6% and 28.4% respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between weight status of studied group and some of the children eating behaviors (Food Responsiveness, Emotional overeating, Enjoyment of food and Emotional Undereating). Both of socioeconomic level of the studied group and work of their mothers had no significant relationship with their weight status.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Childhood obesity and overweight is strongly affected by the eating behaviors. So, management of obesity should include correction of the children eating behaviors.

Keywords

The Egyptian Family Medicine Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 April 2024

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics