The Complex Etiology of Childhood Obesity in Arabs Is Highlighted by a Combination of Biological and Socio-Economic Factors
<h3>Objectives</h3><p dir="ltr">To identify predictors of childhood and adolescent obesity in Kuwaitis with Arab ethnicity.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p dir="ltr">A cross-sectional sample of 6–18 year-old schoolchildren was randomly selected fro...
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2019
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| Summary: | <h3>Objectives</h3><p dir="ltr">To identify predictors of childhood and adolescent obesity in Kuwaitis with Arab ethnicity.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p dir="ltr">A cross-sectional sample of 6–18 year-old schoolchildren was randomly selected from 244 public schools across all six governorates in the State of Kuwait. Anthropometric data were measured from 6,574 Arab Kuwaiti schoolchildren, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect information on possible risk factors associated with obesity. Overweight and obesity were defined in accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.</p><h3>Results</h3><p dir="ltr">The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children (aged 6–18 years) were 17.7% and 33.7%, respectively. The likelihood of childhood obesity increased with birth weights >4.0 Kg [odds ratio (OR) = 2.3; p < 0.0001], maternal employment (OR = 1.26, p = 0.0006), maternal age at pregnancy >30 years (OR = 1.24; p = 0.0016) and family size of <6 members (OR = 1.16, p = 0.0106).</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p dir="ltr">Public health professionals should be aware that advanced maternal age, maternal employment, smaller family size, and high birthweight may predict the risk of obesity in Kuwaiti Arab children and adolescents.</p><h2>Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: Frontiers in Public Health<br>License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00072" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00072</a></p> |
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