Identification of Significant Risk Factors for Obesity Among Children Aged Five to Nine Years: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity characterized by excess fat accumulation and pose substantial health risks That represent significant public health challenges in the 21st century. Overweight and obese children will be overweight and obese adults of future. Individuals who are obese during childhood are more likely to develop non-communicable chronic diseases at an earlier age. Therefore, this study aims to investigate obesity rate and associated risk factors for obesity of primary school students in one of Izmir’s district.
METHODS: The study focused on primary school students aged five to nine years in the Bayraklı district of İzmir province. A total of 535 children were included in the study. We excluded 128 child that have chronic disease or taking medicine or refusing to get into the study. Dependent variable was obesity and independent variables were sociodemographic and natal features, physical activities, eating habits, screen time, family structure and parental weight. We conducted a questionnaire to parents and measured childrens weight and height thus calculated body mass index. Chi-square analysis, T-test and Mann Whitney U test were used for statistical calculations. Probablity rate was used for obesity and overweight associated factors.
RESULTS: Mean age is 8±1,1 years for 407 children. Overweight rate is%12 and obesity rate is%12. We detected that gender is not associated with obesity or overweight(p=0.486). Birth weight(p<0,05), untidy meal times(p=0,007), eating snacks(p=0,027), high monthly income(p=0,026), maternal(p=0,03) and paternal(p<0.05) obesity or overweight and being an only child(p=0,031) was found associated with overweight and obesity.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study found high rates of overweight and obesity among 5 to 9-year-olds in Bayraklı, similar to developed countries. Factors such as high family income, being an only child, and parental obesity correlate with this trend. The results emphasize the need for educating parents and caregivers about healthy nutrition practices.