1.Prevalence of overweight/obesity and its associated factors among secondary school students in semi urban area in Malaysia
Alagappan Mahaletchumy ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Zalilah Mohd Sharif
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2019;74(6):513-520
Introduction: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine
the prevalence of overweight and obesity and factors
associated among secondary school students in Batang
Padang District, Perak, Malaysia.
Methods: Out of the 7247 students in the ten selected
schools studied, a total of 6248 students (2928 males, 3320
females) took part. A validated self-administered
questionnaire was used. Data was analysed using SPSS
version 22. Multivariable logistic regression was used to
determine the adjusted odd ratio.
Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was
16.0% and 11.5% respectively. Obesity/overweight was
significantly (p<0.05) associated with gender, age, ethnicity,
education level of father, education level of mother, physical
activity, disordered eating, smoking status, body size
perception and body part satisfaction. The multivariable
analysis results showed that the odds of being
overweight/obesity were higher in males compared to
females (OR 1.56, 95%CI: 1.37, 1.77). The results also
showed that the odds of being overweight/obesity were
highest among those in age group 12 and 13 years and
among Malay ethnicity. The odds of overweight/obesity were
higher in those who was dissatisfied with their body parts,
(OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.71, 2.25), dissatisfied with their body size
(OR: 4.25, 95%CI: 3.60, 5.02), low physical activity (OR 1.23,
95%CI: 1.06, 1.44), current smokers (OR 1.38, 95%CI: 1.07,
1.78) and at risk of having eating disorder (OR: 1.39, 95%CI
1.22, 1.59).
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of overweight and
obesity is high. The findings from this study can be used by
policy makers to plan an integrated intervention program in
schools.

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