Abstract:
Background: Overweight and obesity among children is a significant global public health concern of the 21st century, affecting every country and contributing to obesity, morbidity, and mortality later in life. Ethiopia is among the sub-Saharan countries with a high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. This study aimed to identify determinant factors of childhood overweight and obesity among primary school-age children in Ambo town, Ethiopia.
Objective: To identify the determinants of childhood overweight and obesity among school-age children at primary schools in Ambo town, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A school-based, unmatched case-control study was employed from January 1 to 30, 2023, among 340 (85 cases and 255 controls) randomly selected school-age children. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The height and weight of the participants were measured using a vertical wooden height board and an electronic weighing scale, respectively. Data was entered into Epidata version 4.6.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the variables included in the study. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the presence of a statistically significant association between independent and outcome variables at a p-value less than 0.05 and AOR with a 95% CI.
Results: A total of 340 primary school-age children (85 cases and 255 controls) were interviewed, yielding a 100% response rate. Sex (female) [AOR: 2.486, 95% CI: 1.209,5.111], maternal occupation (housewife) [AOR: 3.659, 95% CI: 1.480,9.048]; consuming sweet foods [AOR: 3.818, 95% CI: 1.810,8.053], and meat [AOR: 3.927, 95% CI: 1.906,8.090] more than 3 days per week; lack of regular physical activity schedule [AOR: 3.029, 95% CI: 1.523,6.023], and vigorous physical activity [AOR: 3.234, 95% CI: 1.597,6.548] per week; and playing computer or mobile games [AOR: 6.838, 95% CI: 3.044,15.361] per day were significantly associated with childhood overweight and obesity.
Conclusion: Sex (female) and maternal occupation (housewife); frequent consumption of sweet food and meat; lack of a regular physical activity schedule and vigorous physical activity; and playing digital games were identified as determinant factors associated with childhood overweight and obesity. Therefore, the concerned bodies should collaborate to prevent overweight and obesity in primary school-age children, focusing on feeding habits and physical exercise.
