Excess Weight Among Preschool Children in a Lower-Middle-Income Country: Predictors and Perspectives of Prevention

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to assess the weight status and to determine predicted factors of excess weight among Tunisian preschool children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among preschoolers attending kindergarten during 2016-2017 school-years in Sousse, Tunisia. The children’s parents completed the self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measures (Weight and height) were taken for the children. Weight status considered body mass index (BMI) and excess weight was defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) standards. Odds ratios for excess weight were calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 364 preschoolers were included with a mean age 4.49±0.9 years. The ratio boys/girls was 1.05. The prevalence of excess weight was 31.3%; CI95%:[26.7%-36.5%]). Female gender (AOR=1.74; CI95%:[1.07-2.83]), working mother (AOR=1.75;CI95%:[1.04-2.92]), sedentary behavior (AOR=1.87;CI95%:[1.01-3.51]), eating sweets (AOR=1.95;CI95%:[1.19-3.19]), eating while watching television (AOR=2.53;CI95%:[1.23-5.18]) were positively associated with greater risk of excess weight while sleep duration<10h (AOR=0.41;CI95%:[0.24-0.71]) and less educated mother (AOR=0.35;CI95%:[0.12-0.96]) were negatively associated with excess weight. Conclusion: Our results show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers was alarming. Prevention of obesity should start early in life through a multisectoral approach.