Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of adolescent obesity is rising in all parts of the world, but only very few studies have considered factors influencing obesity among Nigerian adolescents. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with socio-demographic profile, lifestyle factors, dietary patterns and physical activity patterns among in-school adolescents in Southwest, Nigeria.MethodA total sample size of 400 in-school adolescents was selected through a multi-stage sampling technique from secondary schools in Ile-Ife. The dietary patterns were assessed using a 92-item QFFQ, while the activity patterns were assessed using the physical activity questionnaire for older children and adolescents. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS.ResultThere were 211 (52.8%) males and 189 (47.3%) females, with mean ages of 14.8 ± 2.1 and 14.4 ± 1.9 years respectively. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 12.8%, and the associated factors were age, sex, class, the number of children in the family, birth orders and the dietary pattern dominated by starchy foods, roots and tubers (p < 0.05). However, no significant relationship existed between adolescents’ obesity and lifestyle factors, as well as physical activity patterns (p > 0.05). After controlling for confounders, age, number of children and birth orders remained significant.ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight/obesity was relatively high among the respondents, and this was associated with the age, number of children in the family and the birth order of the adolescents. The findings of this study underscore the importance of family planning to the control of the obesity epidemic in Nigeria.