Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Bangladesh: do eating habits and physical activity have a gender differential effect?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the gender differential effects of eating habits and physical activity on overweight and obesity among school-aged adolescents in Bangladesh. Nationally representative data extracted from the 2014 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) were utilized. The survey collected information related to physical and mental health from 2989 school-aged adolescents in Bangladesh. An exploratory data analysis and multivariate logistic regression model were employed in this study. Female adolescents were at a lower risk of being overweight or obese (AOR=0.573) than males, with a prevalence of 7.4% (males: 9.9%). The results showed that high consumption of vegetables (both: AOR=0.454; males: AOR=0.504; females: AOR=0.432), high soft drink consumption (both: AOR=2.357; males: AOR=2.929; females: AOR=1.677), high fast food consumption (both: AOR=2.777; males: AOR=6.064; females: AOR=1.695), sleep disturbance (both: AOR=0.675; males: AOR=0.590; females: AOR=0.555) and regular walking or cycling to school (both: AOR=0.472; males: AOR=0.430; females: AOR=0.557) were vital influencing factors for being overweight or obese among adolescents for both sexes. Sedentary activities during leisure time were also identified as significant predictors of being overweight or obese for males. Regular fruit and vegetable consumption, the avoidance of soft drinks and fast food, an increase in vigorous physical activity, regular attendance at physical education classes and fewer sedentary leisure time activities could all help reduce the risk of being overweight or obese for both sexes.

Prevalence of pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes among adolescents (10–19 years) and its association with different measures of overweight/obesity in India: a gendered perspective

“…Additionally, interaction models revealed that adolescent girls were less likely to suffer from pre-diabetes/diabetes in comparison to adolescent boys for the obesity measure. The findings are found to be consistent with the previous one as it was argued that adolescent girls are less likely to be overweight or obese [ 46 ].…”

Understanding the linkage between different measure of Obesity/overweight and Pre-diabetes/diabetes Prevalence among Adolescents (10-19 years) in India: A Gendered perspective

“…Additionally, interaction models revealed that females were less likely to be pre-diabetic/diabetic in comparison to males for the obesity measure. The ndings are found to be consistent with the previous one as it was argued that female adolescents are less likely to be overweight or obese [37].…”

Promoting healthy foods among urban school children in Bangladesh: a qualitative inquiry of the challenges and opportunities

“…Despite the importance of healthy diets, researchers have reported that the diets of children and adolescents are rich in fat, salt and sugar, and lacking in vegetables, fruits, whole grain and calcium-rich foods [ 13 – 16 ]. Among urban Bangladeshi school children researchers found high consumption of fast foods and sugary drinks, and low consumption of fruits, vegetables and animal source food [ 17 , 18 ]. However, little is known about the contextual drivers of these food choices.…”