TITLE:
Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity in the Schools of Parakou in 2017
AUTHORS:
J. Agossou, A. Noudamadjo, J. D. Adédémy, F. Mohamed Agbeille, M. G. Kpanidja, F. Alihonou, R. Houffon, R. Ahodègnon, B. Ayivi
KEYWORDS:
Associated Factors, Overweight and Obesity, Schools, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.10 No.1,
January
20,
2020
ABSTRACT: Introduction:
The dietary changes and the new lifestyles which occurred in low-income
countries like Benin resulted in a nutritional transition with its burden of
overweight and obesity among the child and adolescent population who is still
suffering from undernutrition. This study aimed to identify the factors
associated with overweight and obesity in the schools of Parakou in 2017.
Patients and Methods: This research work is a cross-sectional descriptive and
analytic study carried out from May to June 2017 in the state-owned and private
high/secondary schools of Parakou. It focused on a representative sample of 730
high school students randomly selected according to the WHO two-stage cluster
sampling technique. The weight and size of each of the students included in the
study were measured; and then their body
mass index (BMI) was calculated. The data related to respondents’ dietary
pattern and lifestyle were collected. Those data were processed using the
software Epi Info version 7.2.1. The prevalence ratio (PR) was used to measure
associations with their confidence interval and the difference was considered significant when p i.e. a ratio of 1.1. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was estimated at 16.2% including 12.5% of overweight and
3.7% of obesity. The factors associated with overweight and obesity were female
sex, excessive intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and drinks, low level of physical activity and family history
of obesity. Conclusion: A behavior change regarding the different contributing
factors is necessary to reverse the trends in overweight and obesity prevalence
in the high/secondary schools in the District of Parakou.