The prevalence and the predisposing factors of obesity in secondary and high school students

Abstract

A close relation has been shown between obesity and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, ortopedics problems, sycological disorders or similar disorders. It has been known that obese people life span shortened and the begining of the obesity standed to childhood ages. In this study, obesity prevalence and investigation of predisposing factors has been aimed in the secondary school students in samsun region. Total 4120 students from 9 secondary and 9 high schools out of 59 schools involved in this study by randomised exemplification method. The students, whose body weight according to their height were over 120% were as considered obese. 250 children sharing same class with obese students were selected control group. A quastionnaire about demographic and social features and nutritional habits was given to both groups and their parents. Information obtained from the questionnaire was compared with each other. The prevalence of obesity was 7.3% in girls, 4% in boys and 5.5% as an avarage. Between obese groups and control group admitted by the predisposing factors breast feeding duration, having breest feeding, long period of sleeping. It has been statistical difference has been found between obese and control groups in terms of of predisposing factors such as breast feeding, length of sleep, breast feeding duration, daily television watching, and taking part in sporting activities out of school (p < 0.001).