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

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate risk factors of obesity and its associated health problems in adolescence in Taiwan. Methods: 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 parentsʹ stature. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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.