Abstract:
Obesity in childhood is a growing public health worry in numerous low-income settings;
but its determinants are not conclusive. Based on a cross-sectional quantitative study
encompassing a random sample of 285 in-school children aged 5-16 years, this study
examines childhood obesity and factors that influence its occurence among in-school
children in a Metropolitan area of Ghana. Pre-tested questionnaires and anthropometric data
gathering methods were used in data collection. Descriptive, bivariate, binary and
multivariate logistic regression statistical techniques were employed in analysing the data.
Findings show that 43.2% of the children were obese. Obesity in childhood was higher in
private school (46.8%) than public school (41.4%) children. Predictors of childhood obesity
included age (aOR = 6.07; 95% CI = 1.17 – 31.45; p = 0.025), having a father whose highest
education is ‘secondary’ (aOR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.09 – 8.08; p = 0.032), or ‘tertiary’ (aOR
= 3.46; 95% CI = 1.27 – 9.42; p = 0.015), and consumption of fizzy drinks most days of the
week (aOR = 2.84; 95% CI = 1.24 – 6.52; p = 0.014). Factors that were associated with
lower obesity risks included engaging in sport at least 3 times per week (aOR = 0.56; 95%
CI = 0.33 – 0.96; p = 0.034), and sleeping for more than 8 hours per day (aOR = 0.38; 95%
CI = 0.19 – 0.79; p = 0.009). School-based interventions such as physical education are
needed to promote healthy lifestyles among in-school children.
Keywords: Childhood Obesity, BMI, In-School Children, Lifestyle, Eating Behaviour,
Sedentary Behaviour, Ghana.
