OBESITY AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDING TIKRIT TEACHING HOSPITAL IRAQ
*Omer Saad Tawfeek, M.B.Ch.B., H.D.PED
ABSTRACT
"Overweight" technically refers to an excess of body weight, whereas "obesity" refers to an excess of fat. Childhood obesity is a growing problem and an increasing public health concern in the developed countries. Even more worrying is the increasing prevalence of obesity in developing countries. Childhood obesity is a well-recognized problem all over the world. Obesity can cause other medical problems in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The current study represents an observational, cross-sectional study by using a multistage-stratified
random sampling technique which included three hundred (girls and boys), from randomly chosen pre schools. The study was conducted in Tikrit Teaching Hospital from first of July 2012 to the end of December 2012. to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in pre school children between the ages from 1 to 7years to identify some of their possible risk factors. Body mass index were measured and compared to standard tables using international cut-off points. Blood pressure and random blood sugar were measured for all children. Informations on possible risk factors were collected by questionnaire. The total number of cases was 300 prescool children. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 48(16%) and 20(6.7%), respectively. Significant associations were found between overweight and age, residency (urban-rural), family history, social level and certain dietary practices. The study concluded that the prevalence of obesity and overweight is relatively high in chlidren attending Tikrit hospital, and that there is a significant association between overweight and obesity from one side and high blood pressure, high blood sugar on the other hand. Modern dietary habits are an important influence in the development of childhood obesity that should be watched carefully and controlled. Community awareness of children nutrition depending on the mass media in the form of: newspapers, television, satellite. More researches on this field should be done all over our country in order to Make a comparison as well as assessment of the magnitude of the nutritional problems & find the suitable solution for it.
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