Pages: (126-139 )
Abstract
Owing to progressive urbanization, economic growth and the associated lifestyle changes, adolescent overweight is becoming challenging, yet under-recognized problem in many developing countries. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of adolescent overweight and obesity in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted among 622 in-school adolescents between 10 and 19 years through a multistage sampling technique. The instrument used was a pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements including body weight, and height measurements were taken. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and binary logistic regression. The mean age of the respondents was 15 ± 2 years. The prevalence of adolescent overweight and obesity was 12.7%. Factors associated with adolescent overweight and obesity included age (AOR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26 – 0.67), type of school (AOR: 3.32; 95% CI: 2.04 – 5.41), father’s secondary education (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.04 – 2.79), and mother’s secondary education (AOR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.10 – 2.99). The prevalence of adolescent overweight and obesity is relatively low in Ikenne LGA. There is an urgent need to continuously monitor the current trends in adolescents’ growth and development so that early detection and preventive measures are taken to reduce its multi-level complications.
Keywords: Adolescent Overweight and Obesity, Malnutrition, WHO Growth Reference Chart, BMI-for-age.,