Obesity, overweight and hyperglycemia among primary school children in a low-middle income country with a multiethnic population

OBJECTIVE: The number of children with cardiovascular risk factors is increasing steadily. However, limited data are available on the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and hyperglycemia among children in low-middle-income countries with multiethnic populations. Therefore, we assessed these factors in a school-based survey in Suriname, a low-middle-income country. METHODS: We invited pupils of 5(th) and 6(th) grade visiting the primary school to participate in this survey. We used a questionnaire and face to face interviews, and conducted measurements to collect data on biological factors (ethnicity, sex, length, weight, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose levels), behavior (frequency of physical activity, breakfast, bedtime, screentime), consumption (fruit and vegetables, snack, dairy products) and social factors (parental education, living area). RESULTS: Overall, the percentage of children with overweight was 13.9%, obesity 13.3% and for elevated fasting blood glucose level (> 6 mmol/L) 4.5%. In the investigated group of individuals, obesity and overweight were associated with sex (girls showed a lower OR of 0.54 [95%CI: 0.39–0.75] for obesity), ethnicity (Javanese 2.1, 1.5–3.0 for overweight and 5.0, 3.1–8.2 for obesity, Maroon 2.2, 1.2–4.1 and Mixed ethnicity 1.7, 1.1–2.6, for obesity compared to Hindustani), behavior (Skip Breakfast: 1.4, 1.2–1.7, physical activity: 0.8, 0.7–0.9) and maternal education level (high 1.7, 1.0–2.7). Children with elevated fasting blood glucose levels showed an association with obesity (1.8, 1.2–2.7) and waist circumference (1.02, 1.01–1.03). CONCLUSION: The results show that there is a high prevalence for overweight, obesity and elevated fasting blood glucose among children in Suriname. Furthermore, during childhood ethnicity is associated with obesity and overweight. We suggest that the modifiable risk factors such as BMI, WC, behavior, consumption are interesting for early intervention in children in a developing country.