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AIMS Public Health

2024, Volume 11, Issue 3: 803-818. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024040
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Research article

Association of nutrition behavior and food intake with overweight and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

  • 1.
    School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
  • 2.
    Department of Allied Health Sciences, Health Services Academy, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
  • 3.
    Department of Mass Communication, University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
  • 4.
    School of Physical Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
  • 5.
    Department of Education, International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
  • 6.
    Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • 7.
    School of Physical Education, Xi'an Physical Education University, Shaanxi 710064, China
  • 8.
    Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece
  • Received: 28 February 2024 Revised: 27 April 2024 Accepted: 09 May 2024 Published: 21 June 2024

  • Purpose 

    This study aimed to assess the association between nutrition behavior, food intake, being overweight, and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years. Additionally, it sought to examine how these factors influence being overweight and obese within this population.

    Methods 

    A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative multistage cluster sample of 4200 Pakistani school-aged children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years from 62 schools across seven random districts in Punjab province, Pakistan. Underweight (BMI < 5th percentile), overweight (85th ≤ BMI < 95th percentile), and obese (95th percentile ≤ BMI) were defined using the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 criteria, and a Chi-square test utilized for comparison. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) assessed any correlations, while a linear regression analysis explored the predictive power of Nutrition Behavior/Food Intake factors (independent variables) on body-weight (dependent variable). A logistic regression analysis estimated the simultaneous influence of multiple factors on the dichotomous outcomes, and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.

    Results 

    The study was comprised of 4108 Pakistani school children aged 9 to 17 years (mean age = 13.92 years, 59.3% boys) from 62 schools. Among them, the prevalence of being overweight and obese individuals was 19.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Factors such as skipping breakfast (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.53–3.93, p < 0.001), consuming vegetables less than once a week (OR 4.12, 95% CI 3.06–5.55, p < 0.001), consuming soft drinks three or more times a week (OR 4.74, 95% CI 3.73–6.04, p < 0.001), and consuming fast food three or more times a week (OR 10.56, 95% CI 8.16–13.67, p < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of obesity.

    Conclusion 

    Being overweight and obese pose significant concerns among school-aged children and adolescents in Pakistan, showing a troubling upward trend. Poor nutrition behaviors, including frequenting fast-food restaurants and low consumption of fruits and vegetables, contribute to these issues. It is imperative to comprehend these risk factors to formulate impactful policies and dietary interventions that target childhood obesity in Pakistan. Identifying vulnerable populations and implementing tailored intervention strategies are essential for public health efforts. While further interventions may be needed to reduce the body mass index (BMI) and manage being overweight and obese, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into addressing these critical health challenges.

    Citation: Moazzam Tanveer, Ejaz Asghar, Umar Tanveer, Nadeem Roy, Asifa Zeba, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Xiaoran Ma, Alexios Batrakoulis. Association of nutrition behavior and food intake with overweight and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2024, 11(3): 803-818. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024040

    Related Papers:

  • Purpose 

    This study aimed to assess the association between nutrition behavior, food intake, being overweight, and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years. Additionally, it sought to examine how these factors influence being overweight and obese within this population.

    Methods 

    A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative multistage cluster sample of 4200 Pakistani school-aged children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years from 62 schools across seven random districts in Punjab province, Pakistan. Underweight (BMI < 5th percentile), overweight (85th ≤ BMI < 95th percentile), and obese (95th percentile ≤ BMI) were defined using the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 criteria, and a Chi-square test utilized for comparison. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) assessed any correlations, while a linear regression analysis explored the predictive power of Nutrition Behavior/Food Intake factors (independent variables) on body-weight (dependent variable). A logistic regression analysis estimated the simultaneous influence of multiple factors on the dichotomous outcomes, and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.

    Results 

    The study was comprised of 4108 Pakistani school children aged 9 to 17 years (mean age = 13.92 years, 59.3% boys) from 62 schools. Among them, the prevalence of being overweight and obese individuals was 19.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Factors such as skipping breakfast (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.53–3.93, p < 0.001), consuming vegetables less than once a week (OR 4.12, 95% CI 3.06–5.55, p < 0.001), consuming soft drinks three or more times a week (OR 4.74, 95% CI 3.73–6.04, p < 0.001), and consuming fast food three or more times a week (OR 10.56, 95% CI 8.16–13.67, p < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of obesity.

    Conclusion 

    Being overweight and obese pose significant concerns among school-aged children and adolescents in Pakistan, showing a troubling upward trend. Poor nutrition behaviors, including frequenting fast-food restaurants and low consumption of fruits and vegetables, contribute to these issues. It is imperative to comprehend these risk factors to formulate impactful policies and dietary interventions that target childhood obesity in Pakistan. Identifying vulnerable populations and implementing tailored intervention strategies are essential for public health efforts. While further interventions may be needed to reduce the body mass index (BMI) and manage being overweight and obese, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into addressing these critical health challenges.


    加载中

    Acknowledgments


    The authors would like to express their gratitude to the children, parents, guardians, and teachers for their invaluable participation in this study. Special thanks are extended to the Department of Rescue-1122 for their generous grant support, which facilitated data collection. Appreciation is also extended to the Education Department for granting permission for data collection. Furthermore, the authors acknowledge the School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China, for approving the study, and the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Health Services Academy, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan, for providing partial financial support.

    Conflict of interest


    The authors have declared they have no competing interests.

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