Prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-age children in Jos, North Central, Nigeria.

Authors

  • Akinyemi Olugbenga David Ofakunrin Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4286-4005
  • Janet Ifeola Obayomi bDepartment of Neonatology, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Harrow, United Kingdom.
  • Tolulope Olumide Afolaranmi Department of Community Medicine, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
  • Udochukwu Micheal Diala Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
  • Collins John Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
  • Bose Ozoiza Toma Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
  • Esther A Envuladu Department of Community Medicine, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
  • Seline N Okolo Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Keywords:

malignant melanoma, epithelloid malignant melanoma, tumour

Abstract

Background : Overweight and obesity during childhood are gradually becoming a major public health problem in many developing countries in view of their increasing prevalence. This study determined the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-age children in private and public schools in Jos, North Central, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 600 school children aged 6-13 years recruited using the multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic data of the children were obtained using a proforma. The weight and height were measured, from which body mass indexes were calculated. Overweight and obesity status was determined by the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 10.3% and 1.7% respectively. More children in private schools (11%, 2%) than in public schools (9.7%, 1.3%) were overweight and obese respectively but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The prevalence of obesity was highest among girls in both private and public schools compared to the boys. Seventy percent of children from the upper socioeconomic class were obese compared with 30% from the middle class and none (0%) from the lower class (p 0.0001). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among school- age children in Jos, North Central Nigeria but more among the children in private schools compare to those in public schools. Appropriate intervention programmes targeting school-age children in Northern Nigeria to combat this problem should be planned and implemented by the stakeholders.

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Author Biographies

  • Akinyemi Olugbenga David Ofakunrin, Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
    Derartment of Paediatrics, Lecturer I
  • Janet Ifeola Obayomi, bDepartment of Neonatology, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Harrow, United Kingdom.

    Department of Neonatology,Paediatrician

  • Tolulope Olumide Afolaranmi, Department of Community Medicine, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
    Department of Community Medicine, Senior Lecturer
  • Udochukwu Micheal Diala, Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
    Department of Paediatrics, Lecturer
  • Collins John, Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
    Department of Paediatrics, Associate Professor
  • Bose Ozoiza Toma, Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
    Department of Paediatrics, Senior Lecturer
  • Esther A Envuladu, Department of Community Medicine, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
    Department of Community Medicine, Associate Professor
  • Seline N Okolo, Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
    Department of Paediatrics, Professor

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Published

2018-06-28

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 6 (2018): Jun

Section

Original Research Articles

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How to Cite

1.
Prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-age children in Jos, North Central, Nigeria. Int Jour of Biomed Res [Internet]. 2018 Jun. 28 [cited 2025 Mar. 12];9(6):208-13. Available from: https://ssjournals.co.in/index.php/ijbr/article/view/4779