Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents in Senior High Schools in the Ga Central Municipality.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has been described as an epidemic with more than one-third of children aged of 2 to 19, said to be overweight or obese. Adult obesity has been strongly linked to obesity in childhood and adolescence. It is therefore imperative to tackle this problem in the adolescent stage, to prevent entering adulthood with one of the major risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases. Known immediate consequences of obesity include self-esteem, reduced cognitive capabilities, and memory functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and factors associated with it. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done. A mixed public and private school in the Ga Central Municipality, Accra with students belonging to families to the high and low socio-economic class was selected. A multi-stage sampling design was used to select the form (based on years spent in school) and classes (based on courses offered). A simple random sampling was then used to select a representative sample of 219 adolescents (aged 10 to 19) in the school. Pre-coded structured questionnaires were administered to obtain information on socio-demographics, genetic, dietary and general lifestyle factors. Using a standardized protocol, height (to the nearest meters) and weight (to the nearest kilogram) were measured. Overweight was defined as BMI for Age Z-Scores (BAZ) >+1 SD ≤ BAZ +2, while obesity as BAZ > +2 SD using the World Health Organization Anthro plus growth Chart (WHOanthro plus). Data were assessed for association using Pearson’s chi-squared test and binary/multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for covariates. Results: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 15%, 9.59% and 11.42% respectively. The overall overweight/obesity is 21.01% The risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in this study were gender, having a slim/slender father or relative, engaging in less or no vigorous physical activity, the number of meals taken in a day,. These were statistically significant (P<0.005). However, there was no significant association between overweight/obesity and lifestyle factors. Conclusion: There was an association between overweight/obesity and number of meals taken per day, physical activities and gender among adolescents in Senior High Schools the in GA Central Municipality.