What Are The Important Risk Factors For The Obesity In The Children Three to Six Age Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

OpenAlex · İngilizce

Objective: Overweight and obesity comprise one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century.The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of overweight and obesity in an age group of 3-6 years in central towns of İzmir Metropolitan City and to examine the risk factors of obesity.Methods: A total of 413 children were reached in this cross-sectional study.A questionnaire was completed with families concerning sociodemographic status, perinatal and growth factors, dietary habits, screen time, attendance to a daycare center or school and familial overweight and obesity.Weight and length of the children were measured, BMI values were calculated.Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test and logistic regression model.Results: In our study group, whose mean age was 56.7±9.3 months, prevalence of overweight and obesity were 10.4% and 13.1 %, respectively.Gender was not significantly related with overweight and obesity (p=0.850).Birth weight (p=0.045),weight at one year of age (p<0.001),regular meal consumption (p=0.019),attendance to a daycare center or school (p=0.016),paternal BMI values (p<0.001) and absence of health insurance (p=0.031)were significantly related with childhood overweight and obesity.When we evaluated using logistic regression model, weight at one year of age (p=0.001),attendance to a daycare center or school (p=0.006),absence of siblings (p=0,017) and absence of health insurance (p=0.048)were documented as risk factors for obesity too.Conclusion: Present study suggests that educational programs about regular sporting activity and complementary nutrition like breast feeding programs; are necessary for both parents and children.