A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY FAMILY-BASED FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

Introduction: Globally at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were estimated to be overweight in the rear 2005 and studies on childhood obesity prevalence of obesity ranging from 5% to 20% in various settings. Objectives of the study: The main objective of this study was to analyze the family-based factors associated with overweight and obesity. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Government and private .schools of Lahore during 2017 to 2018. A stratified, multistage cluster sample of 1860 children aged five to twelve years in twelve primary schools of City District Lahore was enrolled. The sampling design has been used previously in nutritional assessment surveys. Results: Children whose parents were having college (23%) or higher (29%) education had significantly higher risk of being overweight and obese (P < 0.001) as compared to children whose parents were illiterate (3%) and educated up to high school (10%). Overweight and obesity were significantly higher among children with parents having higher education among both boys and girls (both P < 0.001). Children whose both parents were working (22.5%) were significantly more likely to be overweight and obese (P = 0.002) than those whose mother was housewife (15.5%). Conclusion: It is concluded that family-based factors were significantly associated with overweight and obesity among school-aged children in Pakistan. Obesity prevalence was highest among boys, children living with middle-income families and those in the younger age groups.