Obesity Risk Factors among School Children in Basrah, Iraq

Background: Obesity, defined as the accumulation of extra body fat, has been extensively studied in all age categories, genders, and ethnic and geographic groups in relation to various risk factors. This study aimed to identify obesity risk factors for school children.Methods: In schools of Basrah, Iraq, a cross-sectional study was conducted between February and October of 2024 using a non-probability (purposive) sampling method. A questionnaire was provided following a thorough review and reading of the pertinent literature. Three sections were in the questionnaire. First, it asked about children’s sociodemographic characteristics, the second was about physical activity, and the third enrolled information about eating habits. The direct interview method was used to obtain the pattern.Results: A total of 40.5% of participants were overweight, and 28.5% were underweight. We showed that 67% of urban females were overweight and 8% were underweight; while 65% of rural females were underweight and 5% were overweight. In rural areas, 64% of males were underweight and 36% had normal weight. A high percentage (53%) of children reported walking and a low percentage (47%) mentioned private services for transportation. Leisure time was 51.8% for watching television and 22.7% was for computer works. The favorite sport was football (78.8%) and 0.1% was for gymnastics. Totally, 74.5% of children reported receiving money from parents to buy food; while 25.1% did not.Conclusion: Obesity and overweight were shown to be health to affect school children and the main risk factors were unhealthy eating patterns and a sedentary lifestyle.