Risk Factors of Adolescent Obesity in Taiwan and Its Association with Physical activity, Blood Pressure and Waist Circumference

This study was conducted to investigate risk factors of obesity and its associated health problems in adolescence in Taiwan. We enrolled 559 adolescent volunteers with equal numbers of females and males in 2008. Participants were divided into two groups: obese (body mass index [BMI] ≧95th percentile) and normal-weight adolescents (BMI: 15th ~ 85th percentile). Each of them completed a questionnaire about lifestyle and parent's stature. Obese mother had high likelihood of having obese girls and boys (P=0.001). Obese girls spent more time in watching TV (P=0.03) and had a higher frequency of having sweetened soft drinks (P=0.016) than normal-weight group. Spending more time in watching TV by girls was associated with a higher frequency of having sweetened soft drinks (P=0.012). In boys, it was associated with higher frequency of eating snack (P=0.018) and larger waist circumference (P=0.011). Boys who had more frequent effective exercise had lower frequency of eating outside (P=0.01) and more services of vegetables (P=0.002). There was no relation between hypertension and adolescent physical activity. Regardless of gender, obese group had higher waist circumference and blood pressure than normal-weight group (P<0.001). There was a strong association between obesity of mother and adolescent obesity. More physical activity in adolescents is associated with healthier dietary behaviors. Obese adolescents have higher waist circumference and blood pressure.