The epidemiology of obesity and underweight and their associations with physical activity and diet patterns among 12-14 years-old adolescent boys in Sabzevar, Iran

• Main Authors: Mahdi Zareie, Mohammad Reza Hamedinia, Amir Hassan Haghighi, Maryam Chamari, Mahdi Broughani
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research 2011-04-01
• Series: Payesh
• Subjects: epidemiology; obesity; overweight; adolescent; physical activity; diet pattern
• Online Access: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-528-en.html

Objective(s): To determine the prevalence of obesity, underweight and their associations with physical activity and diet patterns among 12-14 year old adolescent boys in Sabzevar, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 650 boy students aged 12-14 years in Sabzevar (2009). Subjects were selected via random Sampling. Underweight, overweight and obesity was defined based on the 5th, 85th and 95th percentiles of body mass index (BMI) for age and sex, respectively, as proposed by CDC 2000. Physical activity levels were assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C).Dietary intakes (energy intake and macronutrient) were assessed by means of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Sedentary behaviors and socioeconomic status of subjects assessed by means of a designed questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 7.1%, respectively. Also prevalence of underweight was 11.1%.Physical activity levels were significantly lower (P<0.01) in overweight-obese subjects than normal-weight and underweight subjects. Television viewing were higher (P<0.05) in overweight-obese subjects than normal-weight subjects. There was no statistically significant difference in the reported energy intake and macronutrient between overweight-obese and non-overweight subjects. After adjusting for body weight and BMI, the overweight-obese subjects had the lowest energy intake (P<0.01). Overweight-obese subjects were less likely to eat breakfast than non-overweight (P<0.05). There was significant positive correlation between education level of parents and BMI of subjects. Education level of parents was significantly higher in overweight-obese subjects than normal-weight subjects. Conclusion: These data indicate that prevalence overweight and obesity is relatively high among 12-14 year-old adolescent boys in Sabzevar. The findings suggested that a decrease in physical activity levels and increase in sedentary behaviors (television viewing and not using computer) are related with obesity and overweight, but not diet pattern.