Prevalence of childhood obesity and related parental factors across socioeconomic strata in Ankara, Turkey

Mahmut S. Yardim, L. Hilal Özcebe, Ozgur M. Araz, Sarp Uner, Sheng Li, Hande Konsuk Unlu, Umut Ece Arslan, Nazmi Bilir, Terry T. Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Among low-and middle-income nations, the highest prevalence of child overweight and associated metabolic disorders has been found in Middle Eastern and Eastern European countries. Obesity has been on the rise in Turkey and past research has shown regional variations among adults. However, the prevalence of childhood obesity in different socioeconomic groups in the largest metropolitan areas in the country has not been reported. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of child obesity with a population-representative, SES-stratified random sample with objective measures of body mass index (BMI) in the capital city of Turkey. Methods: Weight status was measured by the WHO growth curve and analyzed by socioeconomic status (SES), sex, and parental factors in a population-representative sample of 2066 parent-child dyads. Chi-square and logistic regression were conducted. Results: Rates of overweight and obesity were 21.2% and 14.6% (35.8% combined) but significantly higher in high (24.5% and 18.9%) vs. low SES (20.1% and 13.8%) (P = 0.02). Boys were at higher risk for obesity than girls, especially in high vs. low SES (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.0 [95% CI: 1.4–6.5] vs. 1.7 [95% CI: 1.2–2.5]). Having both parents being overweight or obese increased the risk for obesity, particularly in medium and high SES (OR = 5.8 [95% CI: 2.3–14.1]) and 6.3 (95% CI: 1.5–26.2). Conclusions: Higher maternal education was a risk factor in low-to-medium but not high SES. In Ankara, child overweight and obesity appears to be 1.5 times more prevalent than national estimates. Higher SES may signify greater exposure to an obesogenic environment and greater obesity risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)374-384
Number of pages11
JournalEastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Childhood obesity
  • Parent
  • School
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Turkey

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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