PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT AMONG CHILDREN IN DUHOK, KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ

Abstract

Background There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children in several developing countries, having resulted in an increase of potentially severe medical and psychological complications, in addition of being a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Despite that, few studies have been conducted in Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in specific.Objectives The aim of this study is to compute the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and to assess factors leading to these conditions. Subjects and Methods A cross-sectional community based study design was adopted for this study which was performed during a 4 month period in 2006. Body mass index (BMI) cut-off points defining obesity and overweight were applied. A total of 820 children in the age group of 2-8 years were included from thirty administrative sectors of Duhok city chosen randomly by multistage cluster sampling. Information about risk factors was obtained by direct interview of parents. Results the present study shows that the prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age) and obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age) were 8.3% and 7.9%, respectively. Significant association was found between obesity/overweight status and the following factors: number of main meals and snacks per day, frequency of consumption of fried foods, fatty dairy products, soft drinks, sweets and meat, low level of physical activity and parental overweight status. No significant associations were found, however, with parental level of education, socio-economic status, and main type of feeding during infancy.Recommendations Authors recommend that more attention should be paid by health authorities to this important health problem including the endorsement of a well designed preventive program.