Author(s)

J. Agossou^1*, A. Noudamadjo¹, J. D. Adédémy¹, F. Mohamed Agbeille¹, M. G. Kpanidja¹, F. Alihonou², R. Houffon¹, R. Ahodègnon¹, B. Ayivi²

¹Mother & Child Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou; and Pediatric Unit of the Borgou/Alibori Regional University Teaching Hospital, Parakou, Benin.
²Mother & Child Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi; and Pediatrics & Medical Genetic Clinic, Hubert K Maga National University Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou, Parakou, Benin.

Introduction: The dietary changes and the new lifestyles which occurred in low-income countries like Benin resulted in a nutritional transition with its burden of overweight and obesity among the child and adolescent population who is still suffering from undernutrition. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with overweight and obesity in the schools of Parakou in 2017. Patients and Methods: This research work is a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study carried out from May to June 2017 in the state-owned and private high/secondary schools of Parakou. It focused on a representative sample of 730 high school students randomly selected according to the WHO two-stage cluster sampling technique. The weight and size of each of the students included in the study were measured; and then their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The data related to respondents’ dietary pattern and lifestyle were collected. Those data were processed using the software Epi Info version 7.2.1. The prevalence ratio (PR) was used to measure associations with their confidence interval and the difference was considered significant when p < 05. Findings: In total, 730 students were involved in the study, including 377 male i.e. a ratio of 1.1. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was estimated at 16.2% including 12.5% of overweight and 3.7% of obesity. The factors associated with overweight and obesity were female sex, excessive intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and drinks, low level of physical activity and family history of obesity. Conclusion: A behavior change regarding the different contributing factors is necessary to reverse the trends in overweight and obesity prevalence in the high/secondary schools in the District of Parakou.

Associated Factors, Overweight and Obesity, Schools, Benin

Agossou, J. , Noudamadjo, A. , Adédémy, J. , Agbeille, F. , Kpanidja, M. , Alihonou, F. , Houffon, R. , Ahodègnon, R. and Ayivi, B. (2020) Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity in the Schools of Parakou in 2017. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 10, 65-74. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2020.101005.