Socio-demographic and lifestyle predictors of high adiposity among primary school children aged 8-9 years in the Colombo Municipal area

• Published in: The Ceylon journal of medical science Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 98 - 109
• Main Authors: Thillan, Kalaichelvi, Lanerolle, Pulani, Thoradeniya, Tharanga, Samaranayake, Dulani, Wickramasinghe, Pujitha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 31.12.2021
• ISSN: 0011-2232; 2659-2002
• DOI: 10.4038/cjms.v58i2.4986

Background: Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors have an impact on the prevalence of obesity. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the sociodemographic and lifestyle predictors associated with high body fat in 8 to 9-year-old primary school children.Methods: Data used in the present analysis were derived from a case-control study, where cases (percentage body fat- males >28.6% and females >33.7%, N=160; males=81) and controls (percentage body fat- males ≤ 28.6% and females ≤33.7%, N=164; males=80) were recruited from primary schools in the Colombo Municipal area. Anthropometry and body composition were measured, and socio-demographic, dietary and physical activity data were collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed and adjusted odd ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.Results: High body fat was associated with high birth weight (females-AOR 10.57 95%CI 1.65-67.84), high household income (males-AOR 3.20 95%CI 1.25- 8.20), unhealthy snacking (>2/day) (females-AOR 3.16 95%CI 1.12-8.90), unhealthy snacking in the school environment (males-AOR 3.20 95%CI 1.28-8.00), high consumption of sweetened carbonated beverages (females-AOR 6.57 95%CI 1.88-22.92), low levels of vigorous intensity activities (<3 times/week) (males-AOR 3.48 95%CI 1.32-9.21, females-AOR 2.92 95%CI 1.13-7.52), screen time (>2hours/day) (males-AOR 8.97 95%CI 2.59-31.09, females-AOR 11.22 95%CI 4.24-29.64) and non-screen activities (>2hous/day) (females-AOR 3.81 95%CI 1.35-10.77).Conclusion: Birth weight, household income, unhealthy snacking, consumption of sweetened carbonated beverage, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours were the major predictors of high body fat in this study population.