Prevalence and risk factors of obesity among school-age female children in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of obesity among school-aged female children in the Ha'il region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 549 female students (age 8.9 +/- 1.9) participated in this study. The sample was recruited from different primary schools. Students were required to answer questions about their feeding habits and activity level. Anthropometric measures of obesity were measured using a stadiometer, plastic measuring tape, and plastic skinfold caliper. Results: 155 out of the 549 female students aged 7-12 years were classified as obese based on their BMI values with an overall prevalence of obesity was 27%. Using the BMI as an indicator, the results revealed a significant (p=0.03) correlation (phi(c)=0.1) between the consumption of chocolate and sweets and obesity. Consuming fast food and soft drinks exhibited high odds ratio despite having an insignificant correlation (OR = 1.53, 1.04) respectively. There was a significant correlation between watching TV while eating, fast-food consumption (r(pb)=.11,.20, p < .05), and waist girth. There was a significant negative correlations between soft drink consumption and waist-hip ratio (r(pb) = -.10, p = .03); both sweets consumption and activity level were correlated (r(pb) = -.12, -.16 & p < .00) with the thickness of the abdominal skinfold. Conclusion: One out of each three female children attending primary school was obese. Unhealthy dietary habits were associated with obesity among school-age female students.