Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Irbid governorate, Jordan

Overweight and obesity is an escalating health problem in both developed and developing countries.This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 13–16 years in Irbid governorate, Jordan, and to compare the prevalence by sex, residential area and socioeconomic status. In a cluster random sample of 1355 school students the prevalence of overweight and obesity (body mass index ≥ 85th percentile) was 24.4% (15.7% overweight and 8.7 % obese) and was significantly higher among female students, students who lived in urban areas and those with working parents. This high prevalence of overweight is a serious concern for public health in Jordan.