Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Height Ratio and Body Mass Index as Parameters of Obesity Among Public Secondary School Students

Ebelechuku Francesca Ugochukwu, Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu, Kenneth Nchekwube Okeke, Victoria Chikodili Ofora and Chinenye MaryQueen Uju
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Ebelechuku Francesca Ugochukwu: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
Kenneth Nchekwube Okeke: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
Victoria Chikodili Ofora: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Chinenye MaryQueen Uju: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2020, vol. 2, issue 4

Abstract: Background: Obesity in children is universal affecting all ethnicities, ages, gender and social classes. Public school children consist mainly of the less affluent strata of society, and consequently may not be opportuned to avail themselves of necessary public health interventions as their private school counterparts. Objective:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity using various anthropometric indices and association of certain factors with obesity among public secondary school students. Methods:A cross-sectional school-based questionnaire and physical assessment of 593 students aged 10 – 17 years in public schools in Nnewi, Southeast Nigeria was carried out. Results: There were 289 boys and 304 girls, giving an approximate ratio of 1:1. Most of the students were from the middle and lower socio-economic levels. Girls were physically less active and consumed more junk food than the boys. The mean weight and height varied significantly with age in males, females and both sexes combined together (p

Keywords: adolescent; anthropometric indices; obesity; public school student (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:epw:ejmed0:v:2:y:2020:i:4:id:40385

DOI: 10.24018/ejmed.2020.2.4.385

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