Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in 12-14-year-old Students in Isfahan-Iran

Poor Eating Habits and Low Physical Activity Contribute to Weight Excess and Increase Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents Practicing Soccer as a Recreational Sport

BACKGROUND

Monitoring anthropometry, dietary intake, and physical activity (PA) is essential to prevent/counteract childhood obesity. This study examined dietary intake, PA, and anthropometric characteristics in young boys practicing soccer as a recreational sport.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study included 226 boys aged 8 to 13 years participating in soccer as a recreational activity in football academies located in Tunis, Tunisia. Anthropometric measures allowed the calculation of body mass index, fat mass, and peak height velocity as markers of biological maturity. A three-day food record and a food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake and eating habits. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to estimate the PA level of the participants.

RESULTS

It was found that a high percentage of the children had excess weight (54%) and excess fat mass (47%). The total energy, carbohydrate, and saturated fat intake of the children exceeded the recommended levels by approximately 10%, 15%, and 30%, respectively. However, the intake of unsaturated fat was below the estimated requirements, particularly in obese children. In addition to the unbalanced macronutrient intake, the children also showed an insufficient intake of many essential micronutrients. Around 60% to 70% of the children in all three groups had a low intake of magnesium, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and vitamins B9, B12, and D. Moreover, 20% to 35% of the children in the three groups had an insufficient intake of vitamins A and C. Insufficient vitamin E intake was found in 63% of obese children and 35% of non-obese children. It was observed that the PA level was lower in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal-weight group (p < 0.005). More than three-quarters of overweight/obese children had low PA levels, about 20% were moderately active, and only 1 to 2% were highly active. Conversely, normal-weight children showed moderate to high PA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor eating behavior, an unbalanced diet, and a low PA level are prevalent in Tunisian boys practicing recreational sports. Such a combination is responsible for a disparity between energy intake and expenditure, contributing to weight excess and increased cardiometabolic risk. The study findings provide meaningful information for practitioners and authorities on applying a balanced diet and adequate PA to prevent and fight against obesity and improve cardiometabolic health in youth.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Politicians and practitioners should be aware of the dramatic increase in obesity and its subsequent complications to prevent associated health risks. This systematic review aimed to provide better insight into the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Iranian population.

METHOD

An evaluation was conducted on all published observational studies from both national (SID, Irandoc, Iranmedex) and international (Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus) sources, which reported the prevalence of overweight/obesity among normal population samples, between January 2012 and December 2021.

RESULT

A total of 152 eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. Of the 152 selected studies, 74 reported the prevalence of overweight/obesity in patients aged ≤ 18 years, and 61 studies in adults. In the rest of the articles (17 studies), the results were reported for a combination of these age groups. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Iran was estimated at 20.1 (95% CI 17.92-22.30) and 13.44 (95% CI 11.76-15.22), respectively. This percentage (95% CI) was 11.71 (10.98-12.46) for overweight and 8.08 (7.02-9.22) for obesity in those aged ≤ 18 years, and 35.26 (32.61-37.99) for overweight and 21.38 (19.61-23.20) for obesity in those aged > 18 years. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in the entire population was 35.09% (95% CI 31.31-38.98).

CONCLUSION

As obesity is on the rise in Iran, we should seek both weight loss strategies and ways to control comorbidities associated with high BMI.

Prevalence of obesity and overweight in Iranian students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Obesity and overweight are among the most common and serious health issues in many countries, leading to numerous medical consequences such as heart disease, hypertension, fatty liver etc. This review article addressed the prevalence of obesity and overweight in Iranian students by using meta-analysis. Methods A number of domestic and international databases were searched, including IranMedex, Magiran, SID, Scopus, PubMed, IranDoc, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Eligible publications were 160 articles that addressed the prevalence of obesity or overweight. Data were combined using random effects model. Heterogeneity of the studies was examined by Q statistics and the I2 index. Data were analyzed using STATA version 11.1. Results In the 160 reviewed studies, a total of 481,070 individuals (6-20 years) were included. The prevalence of obesity among Iranian students based on body mass index (BMI) was 11% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10%-12%) (in girls 8% [95% CI: 7%-10%] and in boys 11% [95% CI: 10%-13%]). The prevalence of overweight in students based on BMI was 12% (95% CI: 12%-13%) (in girls 13% [95% CI: 11%-14%] and in boys 11% [95% CI: 18%-30%]). The rate of obesity was 13% (95% CI: 11%-16%) in elementary school students, 10% (95% CI: 7%-14%) in secondary school students and 7% (95% CI: 6%-9%) in high school students. Conclusions The prevalence rate of overweight was more than that of obesity with a 1% difference. The prevalence of obesity was higher in boys, while the prevalence of overweight was higher in girls. The prevalence of obesity was higher in primary school students than in secondary school students. This prevalence was higher in secondary school students than in high school students.

Weight associated factors in relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Iranian adolescents

Objective

This study aimed to explore body weight factors associated with HRQoL of Iranian adolescents.

Methods

A total of 584 adolescents (12–18 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method from schools located in Isfahan city in Iran. Body weight, height and waist circumference of adolescents were measured according to standard protocol and body mass index-for-age was determined using Anthroplus software. Adolescents completed a set of self-administered questionnaires which included questions about perceptions of adolescents regarding their body weight status and adolescents’ satisfaction regarding their body weight. To assess HRQoL, adolescents completed the Iranian version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ version 4.0 (PedsQL™ 4.0).

Results

The mean age of participants was 15.1 ± 1.3 years. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher in boys compared to girls (34.5 vs. 26.7% respectively). More boys (49.5%) had incorrect perceptions regarding their body weight status compared to girls (37.0%), and more girls (39.0%) were dissatisfied with their body weight compared to boys (28.8%). HRQoL scores were not significantly different among body weight status groups except for significantly lower physical functioning scores in underweight adolescents compared to their counterparts (p = 0.049; power = 64%). Based on perception of body weight status, only boys who perceived themselves as underweight or overweight reported lower scores in different subscales of HRQoL compared to those who perceived themselves as normal weight (p < 0.05; power > 85%). In girls, body weight dissatisfaction was significantly associated with poorer HRQoL in psychosocial dimensions, while in boys, body weight dissatisfaction was significantly associated with poorer HRQoL in physical and social functioning subscales (p < 0.05; power > 85%).

Conclusion

In conclusion, impairment in HRQoL mainly depends on adolescents’ perception and dissatisfaction regarding their body weight and less on their actual body weight status. These findings implying that more attention should be paid to body image as an important target for interventions aiming at promoting HRQoL during early years of life.

"Theory Based Health Education: Application of Health Belief Model for Iranian Obese and Overweight Students about Physical Activity" in Urmia, Iran

Background:

Obesity is a major problem in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a physical education program (PEP) on promoting health belief model (HBM) scores, increasing physical activity (PA), and reducing obesity among Iranian high school students.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study was accomplished at four high schools that were randomly divided into two groups of experiment (forty) and control (forty) male students in junior high schools in Urmia, Iran. Students in the experimental group received a PEP during 6 months. The essential parameters were used for evaluating the effects of educational program on HBM, PA, and body mass index (BMI) of students.

Results:

After the intervention of 3 and 6 months, the experimental group showed a significant difference on the results of HBM constructs. According to the result of repeated-measures ANOVA, there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups about the components of PA constructs. Analysis of covariance showed that although BMI reduced in 6 months after intervention, there was no significant difference in BMI.

Conclusions:

Results of the study revealed that implementation of PEP was effective on increasing the score of the components of HBM and PA of students.