Factors associated with childhood overweight and obesity in Uganda: a national survey

Abstract

Background Childhood obesity is an emerging public health problem globally. Although previously a problem of high-income countries, overweight and obesity is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries. This paper explores the factors associated with childhood obesity and overweight in Uganda using data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) of 2016. Methods We used Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 4338 children less than 5 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants and data were collected using validated questionnaires. Overweight and obesity were combined as the primary outcome. Children whose BMI z score was over two were considered as overweight while those with a BMI z score greater than three were considered as obese. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with obesity and overweight among children under 5 years of age in Uganda. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 5.0% (217/4338) (95% CI: 4.3–5.6), with overweight at 3.9% (168/4338: 95% CI: 3.2–4.3) and obesity at 1.1% (49/4338: 95% CI: 0.8–1.5). Mother’s nutritional status, sex of the child, and child’s age were associated with childhood obesity and overweight. Boys were more likely to be overweight or obese (aOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.64) compared to girls. Children who were younger (36 months and below) and those with mothers who were overweight or obese were more likely to have obesity or overweight compared to those aged 49–59 months and those with underweight mothers respectively. Children from the western region were more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those that were from the North. Conclusion The present study showed male sex, older age of the children, nutritional status of the mothers and region of residence were associated with obesity and overweight among children under 5 years of age.

Individual and contextual factors associated with childhood malnutrition: a multilevel analysis of the double burden of childhood malnutrition in 27 countries

“…Studies which have examined childhood overnutrition have also highlighted similar association between maternal education, sex and child malnutrition as our study [ 55 , 56 ]. However, the association between maternal employment and overweight was found to be non-linear and dependent on the number of hours worked [ 57 , 58 ].…”

Comparison of fatty liver disease development in overweight, obese and normal weight children

“…Taking these measurements helps the individual to become aware of danger in time and begin treatment. In general, the training and education provided by schools, kindergartens, the media, and parents for children and adolescents are expected to correct the lifestyle of these individuals and prevent incidence of disorders such as fatty liver and non-communicable diseases (27,28).…”

Mother's education and nutritional status as correlates of child stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 Demographic and Health Survey

“…Other variables, referred to as controls in the study, included age, current marital status (married and unmarried); employment status in the past 12 months (worked and didn't work); residence (urban and rural); religion (Christianity, Islam and Traditional/others); ethnicity (Hausa/Fulani/Kanuri/Beri Beri, Igbo, Yoruba, and Others); region (North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West regions); and wealth status which was recategorized to three groups from the original quintile to poor (poorest and poorer), middle, and richer (richer and richest). The selection of these variables was informed by previous studies (Abuya et al, 2012;Adedini et al, 2015;Adedokun and Yaya, 2021;Alkali et al, 2015;Amadu et al, 2021;Chowdhury et al, 2016;Fadare et al, 2019;John et al, 2015;Karlsson, 2018;Olodu et al, 2019;Omilola, 2010;Sserwanja et al, 2021;Ukwuani and Suchindran, 2003;Uthman, 2009).…”