Prevalence of Overweight Among the Adolescent School Girls in Dhaka City

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of overweight
among adolescent school girls in Dhaka City and examine the relationship of various
socio-economic factors with overweight. A total of 130 girls aged 12 to 16 years of three
girls high schools were selected by random sampling. Height and weight were measured
to calculate body mass index (BMI). Dietary intake was estimated using 24 hour recall
method. The usual pattern of food intake was examined using a 7-day food frequency
questionnaire. Prevalence of overweight was denoted by BMI above 85''' percentile. In
this study 33.1% of the participants were overweight and the rest were found to be
normal. Participants were divided into two groups-normal weight participants with a BMI
between S'*" and 85'*’ percentile and overweight participants with a BMI above 85‘''
percentile of WHO/NCHS reference values. Mean intake of energy and all nutrients,
except vitamin C were found significantly higher in overweight girls compared to normal
weight girls. Overwhelming majority (95%) of the overweight girls consumed fast foods,
soft drinks (44%) and fruit juice (21%) more than 3 times/week. Consumption of these
foods by overweight girls was significantly higher than that of normal weight girls.
Significant positive relationship was found among overweight and monthly family
income, educational level of the parents and consumption of fast-food, soft drinks, fruit
juice and energy intake but inverse relationship was found between overweight and
participant’s family size.