A STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF OVERWEIGHT IN LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KOTA BHARU DISTRICT, KELANTAN
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Date
2001-11-30
Authors
RUZITA, MUSTAFFA
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
A cross-sectional study involving 392 subjects was conducted from June to
November 2000 to detennine the prevalence of overweight and associated risk
factors in 14 years old school students in Kota Sharu District Two schools,
Sekolah Menengah Ketereh and Sekolah Menengah Kok Lanas were selected
for the study involving students in form two. Family history, sociodemographic
factors, dietary practices, physical activity pattern, and body mass index 'Nere
assessed using structured self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric
measurements. Overweight was defined as body mass index-far-age and sexequal
or greater than 85th percentile (BMJ-for-age and sex > 85th percentile). The
prevalence of overweight was found to be 17.3%. The prevalence rate was
18.2% and 16.4% in males and females, respectively. There was no significant
difference across schools. gender and ethnicity. Factors contributing toward
increased risk for overweight include those who have a family history of
overweight {OR 2.1; 95% CI:1.0-3.8}, skipped breakfast (OR 9.6; 95% CI:3.5-
13.6), 2 hours or more viewing television daily (OR 3.0 ; 950/0 CI:1.D-4.0),
misperception of bodyweight (OR 6.4; 95% CI:3.0-11.4) and physical activities
less than 3 times per week (OR 2.8; 950/0 CI:1.4-S.4). Whilst the problem may not
be as serious as that in developed countries, the findings of this study should
serve as an earty warning to health authorities of the seriousness of the problem.
With this information, some measures can be taken to enable adolescents to
adopt healthier eating habits, perceived self-bodyweight correctly, fewer hours of
viewing television and increased physical activity pattern to reduce or avoid risk
factors of overweight
Description
Keywords
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS