Author/Authors :
Al-Dossary, S.S. Saad Specialist Hospital - Department of Paediatrics, Saudi Arabia , Sarkis, P.E. Saad Specialist Hospital - Department of Paediatrics, Saudi Arabia , Hassan, A. Great Ormond Street Hospital - Department of Bone Marrow Transplant/Immunology, UK , El Regal, M. Ezz University of Mansoura - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Paediatrics, Egypt , Fouda, A.E. University of Mansoura - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Paediatrics, Egypt
Abstract :
Obesity among children is an increasing concern. This cross-sectional study in 2006 determined the prevalence and demographic characteristics of overweight and obesity in children in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 7056 children (aged 2–18 years) were selected from schools and the outpatient department of a hospital. The overall prevalence of overweight was 19.0% and of obesity was 23.3%. More than 50% of children between 14 and 18 years had weight above the 85th percentile. More males than females were obese by ages 14–18 years (35.6% versus 19.2%). Saudi and non-Saudi nationalities had the same distribution of body mass index. Interventions to encourage healthier lifestyles for children are needed at the national level.
