Overweight, obesity and knowledge of overweight, obesity of grade 4 and 5 students in two primary schools, Bac Giang city, 2020

https://doi.org/10.52322/jocmbmh.121.12

Abstract

Objectives: 1. Determine the rate of overweight and obesity in grade 4 and 5 students at two primary schools, Bac Giang city in 2020; 2. Describe the knowledge of overweight and obesity in grade 4 and 5 students at two primary schools, Bac Giang city in 2020.

Material and Methods: students in grade 4 & 5 from two primary schools (Vo Thi Sau and Ngo Sy Lien) in Bac Giang city; Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Results: The mean BMI was 17.4 ± 2.0 kg/m2. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.0%. The percentage of children with appropriate knowledge of the definition of overweight and obesity is 71.8% and that of inappropriate knowledge is 28.2%. There was 83.8%, 81%, 79.5% children having appropriate knowledge about the causes, harmful effects and the prevention of overweight and obesity, respectively.

Conclusion: The risk of being overweight and obesity increases by 5.1 times (95% CI = 0.1- 0.3) in children with inappropriate general knowledge about overweight, obesity. It is strongly necessary to educate children to have basic appropriate knowledge to have the right awareness and behavior to prevent overweight and obesity.