Childhood obesity and its relation with dietary habits among children in Aseer region, Southern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: The rate of obesity in children is rising and it has become a growing epidemic worldwide; Childhood obesity is related to the high risk of obesity later in adult life. In the last 30 years the prevalence childhood obesity more than tripled. Overweight in paediatric population is suggested to be related to many cardio-metabolic risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidaemia and 70% obese children had first cardiovascular disease risk factor and 30% had second or more. AIM: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of obesity among children in Aseer region. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in the schools of Abha and Khamis Mushayet Cities; Aseer region during the period from January to December 2019. The respondents were any of the parents of the child. After having permission from the school authority, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a total of 300 children, with explanations about the questionnaire by the principal investigator and class teacher. RESULTS: The study included 300 students with ages that ranged from 1 year up to 17 years and mean age was 8.6 years old. Exact of 55.3% of the students were males and 32% were at preschool age while 43.7% were at the primary level of education. Students' body mass index (BMI) distribution demonstrated that more than half of the children had overweight or obesity and 16.7% were with underweight. There was a significant relation between obesity among the children and some of their dietary habits including sweets, chocolate and fast food. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: In conclusion, the study revealed that nearly one-third of the children in the study group were overweight or obese with obesity more prevalent. Obesity was more recorded among old-aged children who frequently had unhealthy food. Improving the children lifestyle and dietary habits is mandatory to work against weight gain.