TITLE:
Prevalence, Factors Associated with Obesity and Overweight among Students in Brazzaville in 2020
AUTHORS:
Simplice Innocent Moussouami, Issiako Bio Nigan, Yvon Rock Ghislain Alongo, Polycarpe Gouthon, François Mbemba
KEYWORDS:
Adolescents, Secondary Schools, Weight Status, Risk Factors, Republic of Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
26,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: The prevalence of obesity
is increasing dramatically around the world
and it is reasonable to assume that young people attending school in Brazzaville are not spared. The objective of this
study was to determine the prevalence, as well as the factors associated
with obesity and overweight among students
in Brazzaville. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted as a questionnaire survey with 2052 pupils (869 boys and 1183 girls, aged 14 to
18). Obesity and overweight were determined from the body mass index and reference curves of the International Obesity Task
Force (IOTF), the associated factors, by performing the logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of overweight in private and public institutions was 15.6%
versus 5.5% (p and
obesity prevalence was 4.0% versus 1.5% (p monthly
income (OR = 1.73), car as a means of transportation (OR = 2.75) and family
history of obesity (OR = 7.73). On the other
hand, attending a public school, walking and high levels of
physical activity had a protective effect against obesity in this population. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was higher in private institutions and required management and
prevention strategies.