Association between food habits and overweight and obesity in 12 – 15 years old adolescent female students in Urmia

Incidences of overweight obesity are increasing in the world and it is an alarm for health community. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between dietary habits with body mass index in Urmia.

In this study, 453 female students were selected by multi-stage sampling. Anthropometric indices including height, weight and waist circumference were measured using standard methods and calibrated instruments. The dietary habits were determined using a researcher-made questionnaire.

In this study, the frequency of side activity during meals was significantly higher in overweight and obese individuals than in subjects with normal weight (P = 0.034), and physical activity significantly higher in subjects with normal weight than overweight and obese (P = 0.001). Consumption of breakfast every day before going to school (P = 0.04), eating three meals regularly (P = 0.003), and healthy snack at school (P = 0.05) were directly related to underweight. In the multiple logistic regression model only eating three regular meals (OR = 1.837, 85% CI (1.35-2.51), P = 0.005) had a direct association with underweight.

The results of this study show that side activity during meals increased risk of overweight and obesity. Eating all three meals regularly and eating breakfast every day before going to school were associated with an increased risk of underweight.