Prevalence of Obesity in Private Primary School Students in Dusit District

Abstract

Prevalence of Obesity in Private Primary School Students in Dusit District

Panutcha Phanruk MD

Supapan Tantracheewathorn MD

Department of Pediatrics, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of childhood obesity in private primary schools in Dusit District.

Study design: Descriptive study.

Subjects: Primary school students from 4 private schools in Dusit District, Bangkok, comprising Ratchawat wittaya School, Kantabutra School, Sridarun School and Kongtapbok Ouppatam Suesansongkror School.

Methods: Demographic data including gender, age, and level of class were recorded. Weight and heightwere measured twice for each subject and the mean values were recorded.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence of childhood obesity.

Results: Of the 1,173 enrolled students, 598 (51.0%) were male and 575 (49.0%) were female. Their mean age was 9.2 ± 2.1 years (range 5-12 years). The prevalence of obesity, preobesity, overweight, normal, preunderweight and underweight were 10.0%, 1.4%, 27.7%, 58.1%, 0.8% and 2.0%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in male than female. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in 11-year old students or older were significantly higher than the younger students.

Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity of private primary school students in Dusit District was 10.0%. The prevalence of obesity and overweight were significantly increased with increasing age.

Vajira Med J 2008 ; 52 : 237-242