The Prevalence of Obesity and its Relative Factors among Less than ۵ Years Aged Children, Bandar Turkmen District, Iran

Background & Aims: Child obesity is increasing in developing countries. This study assessed the prevalence of obesity and some related factors among less than ۵-years children in Bandar Turkmen district, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, ۶۱۶ children aged less than ۵ years were selected with stratified random sampling. Obesity was defined as more than +۲ standard deviation (SD) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference. Data were collected by interviewing mothers using a questionnaire and were analyzed with chi-square and Fisher’s tests and multiple regression logistic models. Results: ۶ percent of children were obese. Prevalence of obesity did not differ significantly between boys and girls (۶ and ۶.۱ percent respectively). Less than ۲۵۰۰ g and more than ۴۰۰۰ g birth weight (P = ۰.۰۳۱), less than ۱۸ months breast feeding duration (P = ۰.۰۱۷), more than ۳۷ years mother’s present age (P = ۰.۰۳۹), more than ۳۰ years mother’s delivery age (P = ۰.۰۴۳), and formula or cow’s milk plus breast feeding up to ۶ months of age (P = ۰.۰۱۸) had significant correlation with children’s obesity. Exclusively breast feeding up to ۶ months of age rather than formula or cow’s milk plus breast feeding, reduced obesity risk about ۲.۴۵ times (P = ۰.۰۱۹). Conclusion: This study suggests that exclusively breast feeding at first ۶ months of age, longer breast feeding duration and pregnancy in lower than ۳۰ years of age reduce risk of child obesity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Obesity ، Breast feeding ، Formula feeding ، Less than ۵ years ، Child