Childhood obesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges of the 21st century. Prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. This study was conducted to assess present prevalence of childhood obesity in Riyadh City and to study the relationships with students' life style.
Methodology
436 intermediate male students participated in this cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire while weight and height were measured by investigators at the time of questionnaires submission. Study population was all boy students affiliated to any public or private intermediate (7th, 8th, and 9th grade) school in Riyadh City. Sample size was calculated based upon following assumptions: population size 90145, expected prevalence 50%, precision 5%, and confidence level 95%. A multistage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used as sampling design. According to that three public boy schools and one private boy school were randomly chosen.
Results
Of the total, 14(3.2%) were underweight, 107(24.5%) were overweight and 100(23.0%) were obese. Significant associations were observed between BMI and physical activity, watching TV, computer use, playing video games, mother's occupation, night sleeping duration, daily meals, fast food meals/week and type of consumed drinks. Students having mothers who were housewives were found to consume less fast foods, sleep before midnight and regularly have their breakfast.
Conclusion
Alarming prevalence of overweight and obesity have been reached, calling for immediate intervention using all possible means. Overweight and obesity were found to be affected by lifestyle patterns in terms of physical activity, dietary habits and sedentary activities.