Weight Management among School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Quantitative Assessment in a Ghanaian Municipality

Abstract

Background: Childhood and adolescent overweight, obesity and underweight have become an issue of grave concern to both the developed and developing countries in context of global burden of non-communicable diseases. Unhealthy weight status is a significant public health issue for developing countries, of which Ghana is not excluded. This study evaluated the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight and its related factors among school-aged children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 1004 participants were randomly selected from six schools. A structured questionnaire on demography and socioeconomic status of students’ parents/guardians were completed by the selected students. Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist, and hip) were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. BMI-for-age z-scores were used to categorize anthropometric data of the children as underweight, normal, overweight or obese. A cut-off value of >0.50 was used to define obesity by WHtR. Results: Overweight prevalence of 13.8% and 12.6 was observed among basic school and high school student respectively based on BMI classification. Obesity prevalence of 8.8% was found in basic school students and 8.9% among high school student. Underweight was observed in 114 (11.3%) basic school students and 86 (8.6%) high school students. There was a difference in sex prevalence in unhealthy weight-behaviours; with more girls being overweight (19.4% vs 7.6%, p < 0.001) and obese (10.2% vs. 7.3%, p=0.177) compared to boys. High WHtR found in 10.5% of basic students and 5.0% of high school students, with a statistical difference. Overweight/obesity was significantly associated with taking snacks before bed among basic school students [aOR=10.45(5.95-18)] and high school students [aOR=10.23(5.95-18.37)] respectively. Watching TV [aOR=0.39(0.22-0.70)], sleeping during leisure periods [aOR=0.43(0.23-0.81)] and bicycling as a means of transport [aOR=0.37(0.19-0.72)] to school was protective of obesity among basic school students. Conclusion: High prevalence of unhealthy weight-related behaviours was observed among school-aged children in the Bekwai Municipality with significant. Snacking before bed was a major factor promoting obesity among school-aged children whiles leisure behaviours such as TV watching, and sleeping was protective of obesity. Therefore, it is recommended to Promote and support healthy eating habits among school-aged children which are likely beneficial in reducing the risk of childhood unhealthy weight-related behaviours.

Malnutrition, Hypertension Risk, and Correlates: An Analysis of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey Data for 15–19 Years Adolescent Boys and Girls

“…In the present study, we could not substantiate the findings of Moubarac et al [ 13 ] as the 2014 DHS data did not include food intake or snacking habits. Nevertheless, a recent study in the Bekwai Municipality of Ghana indicated that snacking before bed increased the odds of overweight/obesity by more than ten times for 5–17 years children; girls were more overweight (19.4% vs. 7.6%, p < 0.001) and obese (10.2% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.177) compared to boys in this study [ 35 ]. The data on physical activity in the present study may not well reflect the usual physical activity behaviour of our sample.…”

“…Conversely, it may be that girls who watched TV frequently were better informed about healthy behaviours. Gyamfi et al [ 35 ] recently found TV watching protective of overweight/obesity in southern Ghana. Like Zimmerman and Bell [ 46 ], Gyamfi and colleagues [ 35 ] argued that the content of TV shows rather than TV watching itself is associated with poor nutrition outcomes since adolescents who watch educative programmes may be more educated.…”