Open AccessMagnitude and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in in semi-rural area of Babati District, Tanzania
Author(s) -
Furahini D. Tluway,
Germana Leyna,
Elia John Mmbaga
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
tanzania journal of health research/tanzania journal of health research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.201
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1821-6404
pISSN - 1821-9241
DOI - 10.4314/thrb.v20i2.2
Subject(s) - overweight , obesity , medicine , tanzania , anthropometry , body mass index , gee , confidence interval , psychological intervention , cross sectional study , demography , odds ratio , environmental health , rural area , generalized estimating equation , geography , statistics , mathematics , environmental planning , pathology , psychiatry , sociology
Background: Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in recent years. We assessed the burden and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in a semi-rural district of Babati in Tanzania.Methods: A school-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescents attending secondary schools. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures. A Food Frequency Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were adapted to assess dietary and physical activity patterns, respectively.Results: A total of 619 students were included in the analysis. The mean age and body mass index of the respondents were 16.7±1.68 years and 19.9±3.16 kg/m², respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.2% with more girls being overweight and obese than boys (P<0.0001). In the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models, girls (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.97, 15.72]); unhealthy diet (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.32, 3.63); vigorous physical activity (OR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.34, 3.56) and physical inactivity (OR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.08, 2.79) were independent predictors of overweight or obesity.Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was modest. Female sex, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were significantly predictive. There is a need for interventions in obesity to have a broader target audience to include adolescents and residents of rural areas. Primary preventive interventions are needed.