Overnutrition in adolescents and its associated factors in Dale district schools in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is the critical stage of an individual’s growth and development that determines their nutritional status in the future. Adolescent overnutrition has become an increasing public health concern in developing countries like Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the magnitude and determinants of overnutrition among school-going adolescents in Dale District of Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was done between November and December 2020. A total of 333 school-going adolescents aged 10–19 years participated in this study. Socio-demographic, lifestyle, physical activity level, dietary energy intake, and height and weight data were collected. Body Mass Index for age Z-score (BAZ) was computed. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association of outcome variable with explanatory variables, and results were reported using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The magnitude of overnutrition was 7.2% (10.8% in the urban versus. 3.6% of rural schools). Overnutrition was positively associated with lack of sufficient play area within the school (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI [1.02–6.26]), being an urban resident (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI [1.12–8.29]), positive energy balance (AOR = 9.47, 95% CI [1.58–56.80]), consuming fast foods within a month before the survey date (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI [1.93–6.83]), having moderate (AOR = 9.28, 95% CI [6.70–71.63]) or low physical activity (PA) (AOR = 7.95, 95% CI [1.12–56.72]), and consuming snack within last one week before the survey date (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI [1.15–9.58]). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of overnutrition among school-going adolescents was suboptimal. Sedentary lifestyles, excess calorie intake, having inadequate play areas within the school, and having snack and fast foods were determinants for overnutrition in the study area.