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Overweight children in Beirut: prevalence estimates and characteristics
Author(s) -
Jabre P.,
Sikias P.,
KhaterMenassa B.,
Baddoura R.,
Awada H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2004.00458.x
Subject(s) - overweight , obesity , body mass index , medicine , demography , physical activity , cross sectional study , childhood obesity , environmental health , gerontology , pediatrics , physical therapy , endocrinology , pathology , sociology
Objective To estimate, for the first time, overweight prevalence and associated characteristics in a representative sample of prepubertal children in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Design A cross‐sectional study with a home interview including measurements of weight and height and a structured questionnaire. Subjects A total of 234 children aged 6–8 years in Beirut: 131 boys, 103 girls. Methods Prevalence of overweight and obesity was based on the international cut‐off points for body mass index (BMI) by age and gender proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. The characteristics of overweight examined were: age, gender, household and family size, single‐ vs. two‐parent family, parents’ level of education and profession, physical activity and dietary intake of children. Results Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26% and 7% respectively in boys, 25% and 6% in girls. Overweight was significantly associated with low physical activity ( P < 0.05) and mother's BMI ( P < 0.05). Conclusions This study identified a high proportion of overweight in 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children in Beirut. Reduced physical activity was the most significant factor associated with childhood overweight. Further studies in different regions in Lebanon are necessary to identify national characteristics; prevention efforts will be designed accordingly.