Master of Medicine in Pediatrics and Child Health

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Browsing Master of Medicine in Pediatrics and Child Health by Author "Simon Odoch"

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    Prevalence and Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda
    (Kampala International University, 2021-11) Simon Odoch
    Background: Childhood obesity has become a worldwide epidemic. Several non-communicable diseases are now being found among overweight and obese adolescents. There is lack of data on the burden of overweight and obesity, associated comorbidities in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality. This study aims to investigate prevalence; factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality and determined the proportion of overweight and obese adolescents with hyperglycemia. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Multistage sampling technique used to randomly recruit 752 study participants aged 12 to 18 years with the use of interviewer administered structured questionnaires. Food Frequency Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and HEADSS assessment tool were adapted to assess dietary, physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, and psychosocial factors, respectively. Weight and height was measured twice and average calculated provided the difference between the two measurements does not vary by more than 0.5kg for weight or 0.5cm for height. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight by height in squared meter and interpreted as normal, overweight or obese using International Obesity Task Force BMI cut-off references for a given age and gender. A glucometer was used to measure fasting blood glucose; ≥ 5.6 mmol/L was considered hyperglycemia. Data analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined as a proportion. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with overweight and obesity taking a p-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval to be statistically significant. Hyperglycemia among overweight and obese adolescents was determined as a proportion. Results: Of the 752 study participants, 563 (74.9%) were from private schools and 189 (25.1%) from public schools. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15% with overweight and obesity only being 14.1% and 0.9%, respectively. Out of 113 overweight and obese adolescents, 11 (9.7%) had hyperglycemia. Female gender (aOR = 10.17, 95% CI: 4.52-22.91, p < 0.001), urban residence (aOR 1.70, CI 1.12-2.53, p = 0.013), family history of obesity and overweight (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.62-5.05, p < 0.001), less than moderate to vigorous physical activity (aOR 2.82, 95% CI: 1.46-5.47, p = 0.002), and, unhealthy diet, (aOR = 2.91 95% CI: 1.53-5.53, p = 0.001) were independently associated with overweight and obesity. In addition, adolescents who received pocket money were more likely to be overweight or obese (aOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.47-9.66, p = 0.006). Conclusion: This study found high prevalence of overweight and obesity with one in six adolescents being affected. One in 10 overweight and obese adolescents had hyperglycemia. Adolescents at high risk of obesity should be targeted for healthy lifestyle programs in secondary schools.