Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in children aged 5–6 years in Tehran
Poster Presentation
Paper ID : 1307-12THCONG
Oral / Poster Presentation File: 1307-12THCONG.jpg
Authors
Reza Mohammadghashghaei1 , Mahdi Bayati2 , Neda Soorgi1 , Fakhroddin Rezaei 3 , Nahid Allafan4 , Sadegh Amani-Shalamzari5
1MSc in Exercise Physiology, Department of Physical Education, Alborz University, Abyek, Iran.
2Assistant Professor in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Sports Medicine Research Center, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
3PhD Student in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Islamshahr branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran.
4PhD in Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
5Assistant Professor in Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
It is reported that prevalence of overweight and obesity have increased in all age groups, but little is known about prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children. Therefore, this study aimed to prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among preschool girls and boys in Tehran, Iran.
In this cross-sectional study, 591 children aged five and six years in Tehran were selected as the study sample. Prevalence rate was assessed by standard BMI scores in relation to gender and age, based on recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007. Data were analyzed by Chi-square at the significant level of P <0.05 using SPSS 22 software.
The results showed that: Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity for boys were 1.1 %, 14.4 % and 9.7 %, respectively. Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity for girls were 3.3 %, 11.7 % and 9.2 %, respectively. Other finding of this study was no significant difference in prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity (p>0.05).
In comparison to the result of the last study in this age group (preschool children) which had done in Iran in 2011, our finding showed prevalence of overweight and obesity in Tehranian preschool children is increasing. Considering the relationship between childhood and adult obesity and deleterious consequences of overweight and obesity on health, it seems a serious problem and needs special attention. These findings emphasize on the importance of planning to improve cardiorespiratory fitness as an intervention for promoting physical activity level and preventing the development of obesity in preschool children.
In this cross-sectional study, 591 children aged five and six years in Tehran were selected as the study sample. Prevalence rate was assessed by standard BMI scores in relation to gender and age, based on recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007. Data were analyzed by Chi-square at the significant level of P <0.05 using SPSS 22 software.
The results showed that: Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity for boys were 1.1 %, 14.4 % and 9.7 %, respectively. Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity for girls were 3.3 %, 11.7 % and 9.2 %, respectively. Other finding of this study was no significant difference in prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity (p>0.05).
In comparison to the result of the last study in this age group (preschool children) which had done in Iran in 2011, our finding showed prevalence of overweight and obesity in Tehranian preschool children is increasing. Considering the relationship between childhood and adult obesity and deleterious consequences of overweight and obesity on health, it seems a serious problem and needs special attention. These findings emphasize on the importance of planning to improve cardiorespiratory fitness as an intervention for promoting physical activity level and preventing the development of obesity in preschool children.
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