Prevalence and determinants of overweight, and obesity among preparatory school students in El-Sinbelawein City, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity is escalating in numerous low- and middle-income nations, posing a significant public health concern. Objectives: to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors linked to excessive weight and obesity in students attending preparatory schools. Subjects & Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2023. The study included 620 students, with 316 hailing from rural areas and 304 from urban areas. The mean age of the participants was 13.90±0.881 years. Results: the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.4% (13.9% overweight and 9.5% obese). Girls were more obese than boys (28.3% vs. 19.1%). Urban students had 28.3% overweight and obesity compared to 18.7% in rural schools. 31.9% of obese children had a positive history of consanguinity. If both parents were obese, 35.8% of children were obese; if one parent was obese, 24.0% were obese. Frequent intake of fast food (OR=1.843; 95%CI; 1.261-2.693), sweet foods (OR=1.670; 95%CI; 1.148-2.431), sweet juices (OR=1.975; 95%CI; 1.352-2.884), soft drinks (OR=3.767; 95%CI; 2.289-6.198), crunchy food (OR=1.809; 95%CI; 1.242-2.634), eating more than 3 meals per day (OR=1.778; 95%CI; 1.221-2.589), consuming multiple snacks per day (OR=1.530; 95%CI; 1.027-2.280), and consuming chocolate frequently (OR=1.960; 95%CI; 1.307-2.937) were significantly associated with an increased risk of overweight, and obesity. Conversely, regularly consuming fresh vegetables (OR=0.374; 95%CI; 0.255-0.550) and fresh fruits (OR=0.525; 95%CI; 0.360-0.765) were found to significantly reduce the likelihood of overweight and obesity. Watching TV more than 2 hours a day, playing videogames/mobile games, and physical inactivity were associated with overweight and obesity. The primary health consequences of obesity were depression and mental disorders (67.8%), breathing difficulties (62.7%), sleep apnoea (52.5%), impaired physical functioning (47.5%), and osteoarthritis and bodily pain (15.3%). Conclusion: The results of this study exhibited a comparatively elevated in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preparatory school students. Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity were risk factors for overweight and obesity.