Prevalens obesity among secondary school students in Kejantan, 1997

Abstract

Obesity is a common risk factor associated with health problems. A passive life style makes an individual more prone to obesity. A cross sectional study was carried out on secondary school students in Kelantan to determine the prevalence of obesity and its contribution factors. Six hundred respondents amongst form IV & V students from a rural and an urban area were selected as sample through stratified sampling of whom the 89.0% (534 students) participated in the study. The cut off point for obesity was body mass index > 30.0 Kg/m2. Prevalence of obesity is 2.2 % and there wasn't any significant difference between sex and school location. From univariate analysis the significant factors were hereditary , frequency of exercise, involvement in school sport activity, mother perception of obesity and reduction in food intake. From multivariate analysis exercise and mother's perception were found to be significant at the level of 0.05