Prevalence and Characteristics of Overweight and Obese Adolescents in Egor L.G.A, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Global childhood obesity prevalence reports a rise, especially in the adolescent age group. Since adolescence is a critical  transitional period to adulthood, tracking changes in the characteristics of obesity in this group of children is essential to aid policy  formulation on the prevention of obesity. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of  overweight and obese adolescents in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.

Method: The cross-sectional study included 1036  adolescents aged 10 -17 years from two secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The weight and height of  these adolescents were measured, and the body mass index computed. Using the United States Center for Disease Control body mass  index growth chart, the participants were categorised into three groups, namely normal weight (5th to <85th percentile); overweight  (85th to <95 th percentile); and obese (≥95th percentile).

Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among the  participants was 8.9%. The prevalence rates of the overweight and obese were 5.9% and 3.0%, respectively. The proportion of overweight  and obese participants was higher in pubertal than pre-pubertal female adolescents, while the opposite was observed amongst males.  The proportion of overweight and obese adolescents was significantly more in participants from upper-class families than the middle-  and lower-class families (p =0.007).

Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight/obesity in Nigerian adolescents revealed in this study is  low. However, children from upper-class families were proportionately more affected than other classes. Targeted health educational  programmes are advocated.