Determinants of Overweight Among Primary School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract

Background

The condition of being overweight is the abnormal excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Globally, it is a serious public health issue in both developing and developed countries.

Objective

This study aims to identify determinants of overweight among primary school children in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods

A school-based unmatched case control study was conducted from June 20 to 30, 2021. The total sample size was 285 (95 cases and 190 controls). Multistage sampling technique was used. Data were entered using Epi data 3.1 version and analyzed using SPSS version 24 software. Frequency, tables and figures were used. Bivariable analysis was done and variables with p <0.025 were entered to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was declared at p <0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The odds of overweight increased 19.8 times more in children whose fathers work in private business [AOR: 19.82, 95% CI: 6.21, 63.25], increased 4.8 times more in children who consume meat on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 4.75, 95% CI: 1.61, 14.03], increased 5 times more in children who consume milk on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 5.02, 95% CI: 1.80, 13.98], increased 11.9 times more in children who spend more than 6 hours sitting per day [AOR: 11.89, 95% CI: 4.13, 34.28]. And also, odds decreased by 84% in children who consume fruit on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.19], decreased 93% in children who consume vegetables on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.42], decreased 67% in children who consume cereals on more than 2 days per week [AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.84].

Conclusion

Fathers working in private business, consuming fruit, vegetables, cereals, meat and milk on more than 2 days per week and sitting for more than 6 hours per day were determinants for overweight in this study. Therefore, it is better to include fruit, vegetables and cereals in dietary habits, decrease consumption of meat and milk and minimize sitting to less than 6 hours per day including school learning time.

Keywords:

• overweight
• children
• elementary school

Abbreviations

AM, Arba Minch; AOR, Adjusted Odds Ratio; BMI, Body Mass Index; BT, Birhan Tena; CI, Confidence Interval; COR, Crude Odds Ratio; DM, Diabetes Mellitus; HL, Hibiret Lelimat; SPSS, Statistically Package of Social Science; TV, Television; WHO, World Health Organization.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Clearance

Research ethical review committee of Paramed College approved this research proposal. Then a support letter was obtained from Arba Minch town education office, and was sent to each sub-city administrative. Finally, each sub-city administrative sent a support letter for each selected primary school. After getting permission from each school, the participants’ parents were informed the purpose was only for this research, by sending a written consent letter on students. Based on their parents’ acceptance, a written asset was taken from each participant student. Coding was used to eliminate names and other personal identification of respondents to ensure anonymity, privacy, and confidentiality. Thoroughly, our research passed the required principles of Declaration of Helsinki General Assembly, Seoul, Korea, and October 2008.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the supervisors for their critical supervision, data collectors for collecting accurate data, and study participants for their willingness of participation, kind provision of necessary information, and sacrifice of their valuable time spent during interviews.

Author Contributions

Both authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all areas; took part in drafting, revising and critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

Both authors declare that they have no conflict of interests for this work.

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not get specified funding for this study.