Lafta Riyadh K, Kadhim Maher J
Community Medicine Department, College Of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University Baghdad, Iraq.
Ann Saudi Med. 2005 Sep-Oct;25(5):389-93. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2005.389.
Childhood obesity is increasing in prevalence in developing countries. We conducted this study to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children age 7 to 13 years in central Iraq and to identify possible risk factors.
The study was conducted in Babil governorate from October through March 2002. Eight thousand three hundred pupils (4100 girls and 4200 boys) randomly chosen primary schools were included in the study. BMI was measured and compared to standard tables. Information on possible risk factors was collected by questionnaire.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6% and 1.3%, respectively. Significant associations were found between overweight and age, residency (urban-rural), birth rank, breast-feeding and certain dietary and lifestyle practices.
The prevalence of obesity and overweight is relatively high in children in central Iraq. Modern dietary habits are an important influence in the development of childhood obesity that should be watched carefully and controlled.
发展中国家儿童肥胖的患病率正在上升。我们开展这项研究以评估伊拉克中部7至13岁小学生中超重和肥胖的患病率，并确定可能的风险因素。
该研究于2002年10月至3月在巴比伦省进行。随机选取的8300名小学生（4100名女孩和4200名男孩）纳入研究。测量体重指数（BMI）并与标准表格进行比较。通过问卷收集有关可能风险因素的信息。
超重和肥胖的患病率分别为6%和1.3%。发现超重与年龄、居住地（城乡）、出生顺序、母乳喂养以及某些饮食和生活方式之间存在显著关联。
伊拉克中部儿童肥胖和超重的患病率相对较高。现代饮食习惯是儿童肥胖发展的一个重要影响因素，应予以密切关注和控制。
