Prevalence and risk factors of overweight among adolescents: an analysis of Bhutan Global School-based Student Health Survey data

ABSTRACT

The burden of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents has increased, especially in developing countries, posing a significant health challenge. Data on factors influencing overweight among adolescents is scarce in Bhutan. The present study examined the factors associated with overweight among school-going adolescents in Bhutan. This study analysed the nationally representative data from the Bhutan Global School-based Student Health Survey (BGSHS) conducted in 2016. The factors associated with overweight were identified by conducting multiple logistic regression analysis using a backward elimination approach. The complex survey design of the BGSHS was accounted for in the analysis. This study found that the prevalence of overweight was 11.35%. The findings showed that females, adolescents who were day students, and sedentary had higher odds of being overweight, whereas those aged >15 years and received education on healthy eating had reduced odds in the full sample. Female adolescents who were sedentary had increased odds of overweight. In the males’ only sample, being a day student and living in urban areas was associated with increased odds of overweight, whereas those boys who received education on healthy eating and smoked cigarettes had reduced odds. Being >15 years of age was a common factor associated with reduced odds of overweight. Based on findings, policies aimed to reduce sedentariness and promote a healthy diet and behaviour can help reduce the risk of being overweight. Interventions targeting females, young adolescents, day students, and adolescents living in urban areas may be cost-effective.

KEYWORDS:

• Overweight
• obesity
• adolescents
• sedentary
• risk factors
• Bhutan

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Health of Bhutan for granting access to the 2016 BGSHS data. We also thank all the participants of the BGSHS.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest associated with the material presented in this paper.