February 2017 Vol. 5 No.2

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Original Research Article

Weight Status of Adolescents in Preparatory and Secondary Schools in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Nagah Mohamed Abo El-Fetoh^1*, Tariq Mozil Aquab Alanizy² and Thamer Arar Shaded Alruwaili²

¹Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
²Final year, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, KSA.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: elshmaa3332004@yahoo.com

Accepted February 23, 2017

Abstract

Adolescent weight status is a cumulative effect of health and nutritional problems. Adolescent weight problems often go unnoticed as weight assessment is not considered a priority in adolescents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the weight status of adolescents in a representative sample of preparatory and secondary school male and female students in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, using the BMI and to identify factors influencing it. This cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescent school children of both sexes, aged 11-18 years in Arar, North Saudi Arabia were selected for the study using a stratified multi-staged sampling method. Structured questionnaires were filled by the investigators while weight and height were measured. BMI was calculated using the formula weight/height2 (kg/m2). Results: The prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight and obesity were 27.2%, 49.5%, 17.5% and 5.5% respectively. With statistically significant effect of sex, age group, parents education, consanguinity between parents, family history of obesity and father's age group (p >0.05) on the BMI of the studied adolescents. The overall mean BMI for males was significantly higher than that of females and the females were significantly more underweight than males. Adolescents whose mother’s had higher education had overweight than the counterparts. So periodic weight assessment of adolescents should be carried out in schools and communities as a part of school health program. This is essential for early detection, planning and implementation of intervention programs to reduce underweight and overweight. Also, health education to promote healthy eating behaviors, regular physical exercise should be inculcated into the school curriculum. This would contribute to controlling underweight and overweight.

Keywords: Adolescents, Body mass index, Weight status