Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that Egypt, a country in North Africa, has a significant number of children at serious risk of excess body weight. Yet, there is a dearth of studies on overweight and obesity among children under 5 years in the country. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt. Methods: Data were retrieved from the latest (2008 and 2014) Egypt demographic and health surveys (EDHS). A total of 42,568 children under 5 years were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was described using proportions whereas the factors associated with the prevalence were examined using logistic regression. Results: Of the 42,568 children under 5 years, about one in every six (17%) were overweight or obese. Those aged 19-37 months, those with birth weights greater than 4 kg, those given large portions of protein foods (eggs and meat), and those whose mothers were in the rich wealth quintile had significant risks of overweight or obesity. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among children under five years in Egypt. Interventions developed to address these two overnutrition indicators in Egypt need to consider variations in risk factors across age, birth weight, food types and portions, and maternal wealth status.

Selenoprotein-p as Biomarker of Selenium Status in Obese Children and Adolescents

“…Regarding onset of obesity, our study revealed that obesity is higher prevalence among children less than 5 years, and this agreed with Osei Bonsu and Addo et al [14] study that showed higher prevalence of obese children below 5 years in Egypt, that may associated with overnutrient. Our study also showed, higher rate of class I obesity between obese children than class II and III, and this agreed with Twig et al [15].…”