Prevalence of Childhood Obesity and Undernutrition Among Urban School Children in Bangladesh

Abstract

SummaryDespite the ongoing problems of undernutrition and infectious disease, obesity and overweight have become a major problem in developing countries, including Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight among school children aged 6-12 years in Bangladesh. The study was conducted from June 2012 to May 2013 and the study sample comprised 1768 children (980 boys; 788 girls) from eight purposively selected schools in different areas of Dhaka city. Students were interviewed about their diet and physical activity, and anthropometric measurements were made, including height, weight, mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass index (BMI). Undernutrition, overweight and obesity were defined using internationally accepted BMI cut-off points. Mean height, weight, BMI, MUAC, waist circumference and hip circumference values were found to be higher in boys than in girls, except at age 12 when these were found to be significantly higher in girls than in boys (p<0.05). The mean prevalence of overweight was 10.0% (boys 10.2%; girls 9.8%), and that of obesity 5.0% (boys 4.3%; girls 5.8%). The prevalence of underweight was 16.3% in boys and 12.7% in girls. The prevalence of underweight was significantly higher in poor than in rich children (22.1% vs 11.2%) and that of obesity was higher in rich than in poor children (9.9% vs 1.3%; p<0.001). A family history of obesity and hypertension emerged as a significant predictor of developing overweight and obesity (p<0.001). The data suggest that underweight and obesity co-exist in urban areas of Bangladesh, posing a challenge for the nutritional health of Bangladeshi children.

Challenges of promoting physical activity among school children in urban Bangladesh: A qualitative inquiry

“…These barriers need to be addressed to increase children's PA and, thereby, both stem the rising tide of overweight and obesity among school children in Bangladesh and contribute to overall health throughout the population [27,28]. In previous studies addressing urban Bangladeshi school children, researchers reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity [29,30] and identified sedentary activities as a risk factor [23]. Researchers also reported that regular PA can protect against overweight and obesity [31,32].…”

“…Strong PA curricula in schools may help inculcate lifelong habits of PA and reduce the risk of future diseases and disabilities in the Bangladeshi population. In view of the rise in overweight and obesity among children in urban areas [29,30] and the rise in deaths due to non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh [48], it is important that strong steps be taken to improve the opportunities for PA for school-aged children.…”

Health and Disease among Primary School Children: A Snapshot from Rural Bangladesh

“…and overweight or obesity of 25% [12]. Another study on 6-12 years old school children from Dhaka reported that prevalence of underweight was 22.1% in poorer children versus 11.2% in rich children [13]. Another country wide study involving 10,135 students from 6 to 15 years reported that underweight children were 19.2% in rural schools versus 16.1% in urban schools [14].…”

Relationship between childhood obesity and dietary behavior in selected school-going children from Dhaka city, Bangladesh

“…Here, Z_(1-α/2) = normal standard deviation (Type 1 error of 5% (p<0.05) is 1.96, p=expected proportion of the population based on previous analysis of 1,768 children (980 boys; 788 girls) from eight schools selected for purpose in various areas of Dhaka City, which is 0.05 (5.0 percent). 17 d= absolute error, or precision set to 0.05. This proposed study had at least 77 subjects according to formula.…”