Author/Authors :
HESHMAT, Ramin Chronic Diseases Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , SHAFIEE, Gita Chronic Diseases Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , KELISHADI, Roya Pediatrics Department - Child Growth and Development Research Center - and Faculty of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , TABATABAIE, Omid Reza Pediatrics Department - Child Growth and Development Research Center - and Faculty of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , DJALALINIA, Shirin Non-communicable Diseases Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , MOTLAGH, Mohammad-Esmaeil Dept. of Pediatrics - Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Ira , ZAHEDI, Hoda Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular -Cellular Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medi-cal Sciences, Tehran, Iran , NOORI, Atefeh Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sci-ences, Tehran, Iran , ARDALAN, Gelayol Pediatrics Department - Child Growth and Development Research Center - and Faculty of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfa-han, Iran , AREFIRAD, Tahereh Dept. of Exercise Physiology - Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , ASAYESH, Hamid Dept. of Medical Emergencies - Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Ira , LA-RIJANI, Bagher Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , QORBANI, Mostafa Dept. of Community Medicine - School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Abstract :
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Socioeconomic Status (SES) with anthropomet-ric measures and BP in Iranian children and adolescents.
Methods: This nationwide study was conducted in 2011-2012 among 14,880 students, aged 6-18 years, selected by multistage, cluster-sampling method from rural and urban areas of 30 provinces of Iran. Anthropometric indexes and BP were measured by standard protocols and with calibrated instruments. SES was estimated based on family assets and parents‟ job and education using principle component analysis method. SES was considered as “low”, “intermedi-ate” and “high” in the statistical analysis.
Results: Overall, 13486 children and adolescents out of 14,880 invited students (response rate 90.6%) participated in this study. They consisted of 50.8% boys, 75.6% urban residents, with a mean age of 12.47 ±3.36 years. The preva-lence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity and also mean of all anthropometric measures increased linearly with increasing SES. Inversely, underweight decreased linearly with increasing SES. Association of BP measures with SES was not statistically significant. After adjustment for potential confounders, association of anthropometric measures and BP with SES did not change significantly.
Conclusion: We found that obesity, overweight and abdominal obesity was prevalent in high SES group and under-weight in low SES group. Our findings serve as confirmatory evidence that contrary to developed countries, in devel-oping countries childhood obesity is more prevalent in families with higher SES.
