Prevalence and Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda
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Date
2021-07
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Kampala International University
Abstract
Background:Childhood obesity has become a worldwide epidemic.Developing countries, particularly Uganda, are not immune.Several non-communicable diseases such as diabetes among others are now being found among overweight and obese adolescents.There is lack of regional and context specific data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as its associated comorbidities.Overweight and obesity among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality were investigated, as well as factors that may contribute to these conditions.It also determined the proportion of overweight and obese adolescents with hyperglycemia.
Methodology: A school-based cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted.Multistage sampling technique was used to reach the study participants. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain data on thesociodemographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, drug and substance abuse, physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, medical and dietary factors.Food Frequency Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and HEADSS assessment tool were adapted to assess dietary, physical activity and sedentary lifestyle,and psychosocial factors, respectively. Weight was measured using Seca digital weighing scale to the nearest 0.1kg and height was measured using stadiometer to the nearest 0.1cm. Body mass index was calculated by dividing weight by height insquared meter. International Obesity Task Force BMI cut-off references for a given age and gender were used to define normal weight, overweight and obesity.A glucometer of model On-Call Plus, with glucose strips was used to measure fasting blood glucose. Fasting blood glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L was considered hyperglycemia. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined as a proportion. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with overweight and obesity taking a p-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence intervalto be statistically significant. Hyperglycemia among overweight and obese adolescents was determined as a proportion.
Results:Of the 752 study participants, 563 (74.9%) were from private schools and 189 (25.1%) from public schools. The mean age and body mass index of the respondents’ were16.47 ± 1.34 years and21.7 ± 2.8 Kg/m2,respectively. Prevalenceof overweight and obesity was 15% with overweight and obesity only being 14.1% and 0.9%, respectively. Out of 113 overweight and obese adolescents, 11 (9.7%) had hyperglycemia. Female gender (aOR = 10.17, 95%CI: 4.52-22.91, p < 0.001), urban residence(aOR 1.70, CI 1.12-2.53, p = 0.013),family history of obesity and overweight (aOR = 2.86, 95%CI: 1.62-5.05, p < 0.001),less than moderate to vigorous physical activity(aOR 2.82, 95% CI: 1.46-5.47, p = 0.002), and, unhealthy diet, (aOR = 2.91 95%CI: 1.53-5.53, p = 0.001) were independently associated with overweight and obesity. In addition, adolescents who received pocket money from their parents/guardians were more likely to be overweight or obese (aOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.47-9.66, p = 0.006).
Conclusion:The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents attending schools in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality was consistent with urban findings in East Africa but much higher than finding in rural setting with almost one in six adolescents being affected. Female sex, urban residency, family history of obesity and overweight, less thanmoderate to vigorous physical activity, receiving pocket money and unhealthy diet were significantly associated with overweight and obesity. One in 10 overweight and obese adolescents had hyperglycemia. Adolescents at high risk of obesity should be targeted for healthy lifestyle programs in secondary schools.