Prevalence of obesity and overweight in primary school girls in Tehran, Iran

The rising trends of obesity in children are reflected in increased adult obesity and related morbidity. So we studied the prevalence of obesity in children and the related factors in Tehran. Material &

This was a cross-sectional study of 1800 female pupils. Weight and height were measured and BMI (Body Mass Index) was calculated. SPSS-10 was used for statistical analysis.

Prevalence of obesity and overweight were 7.7 percent (95%CI= 6.25% - 9.3%) and 13.3 percent (95%CI= 11.76% - 14.95%), respectively. There was a significant correlation between obesity and age (P=0.01), type of school (P=0.002), appearance (P<0.001) and self-image (P<0.001).

The findings necessitate interventional programs for identification and treatment of obese children.