1Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Nigeria
2Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University, Nigeria
3Deparment of Nursing services, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital
*Corresponding author: Isaac Oludare Oluwayemi, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty Clinical Sciences, Ekiti State University, Nigeria
Submission: May 21, 2018; Published: May 31, 2018
ISSN 2637-8019Volume2 Issue2
Childhood and adolescents obesity is a public health challenge. Studies on predictors of obesity among children in developing countries are very few.
Methods: The index study was a cross-sectional study among secondary school adolescents in Ekiti State. After receiving Government approval and school permission to enter the schools, structured questionnaires were administered to students whose parents gave consent to participate in the study. Measurement of weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose were done following standard procedure. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine the predictors of obesity
Results: 346 (55.1%) males and 282 females (44.9%) participated in the study. More females than males were in the low/middle social class (25.2% vs. 14.2%, p=0.000), consumed more snacks (91.8% vs. 85.5%, p=0.014), and had general obesity (13.2% vs. 2.3%, p=0.000). The mean BMI, SBP, DBP and FBG were significantly higher (p=0.000) in female compared to male students: BMI, 20.39(2.82) kg/m2 vs. 19.27(2.14) kg/m2; SBP, 122.61(13.91) mmHg vs. 114.36(14.82) mmHg; DBP, 75.76(10.96) mmHg vs. 65.29(9.69) mmHg; FBG, 97.60(10.52) mg/dl vs. 93.40(10.84) mg/dl. Female gender [OR (95%CI), 8.685(3.872-19.483), p<0.001] and attending public school [OR (95%CI), 8.149(1.047-63.426, p=0.045), were the only factors found to be predictive of obesity.
Conclusion: Female gender and type of school attended were the predictors of obesity in secondary school adolescents in Ekiti State. Lifestyle changes targeted at female students in public schools may help curb obesity prevalence in the State.
Keywords: Obesity; Adolescents; Predictors; Ekiti state; Nigeria