The Prevalence of Obesity in First Year Primary School Students in Nine Districts of İzmir Province

Aim: Obesity and overweight are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as %u2018%u2018abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health%u2019%u2019. The prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight has been increased worldwide in recent decades. To determine the prevalence of obesity in first year primary school students in nine districts of Izmir province. Material and Method: This study was planned as cross-sectional research, and performed on nine districts selected by simple random method in Izmir province (Aliaga, Beydag, Dikili, Foca, Guzelbahce, Kinik, Odemis, Seferihisar, Selcuk). The height and the weight figures of each child were noted and Z values were calculated with reference to WHO 2007 standards. Children whose Z scores of %u201Cheight for age%u201D ,%u201DBKI for age%u201D and %u201Cweight for age%u201D are higher than 2 standard deviation were assessed as tall and obese. In analyzing data Chi-square test and t test were used. Statistical significance value was accepted as