Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society
Year 2023, Volume 35, Issue 4, Pages 1-8
https://doi.org/10.26715/jbms.35_4_1Maryam Hasan Kamal1*, Anfal Jamal Hijris2, Rawan Nayef AlKhashram3, Yara Khalid Algillidary3, Abdulla Khaled Alhammar4, Mohamed Ismaeel Janahi5, Yasser Ahmed Bamasood5, Osama Mohammed Nazzal6, Faisal Osama AlAli7, Rashed Ali Aldoseri8
1Department of Pediatrics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain; Email: mariamhkamal@hotmail.com
2Department of Internal Medicine, King Hamad American Mission Hospital, Bahrain
3Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, Bahrain
4Primary Health Care, Bahrain
5College of Medicine & Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain
6Department of Urology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain
7Chicago Medical School, IL
8Department of Ear Nose Throat (ENT), Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, Bahrain
*Corresponding author:
Dr. Maryam Hasan Kamal, Department of Pediatrics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain; Email: mariamhkamal@hotmail.com
Received date: February 23, 2023; Accepted date: September 17, 2023; Published date: December 31, 2023
For appendix, tables and figures (if any), please refer to PDF.
Abstract
Background: The increasing rates of obesity have raised worldwide concern due to its impact on the individual and society. The prevalence and modifiable risk factors of obesity among preschoolers are crucial to identify for early intervention.
Materials and Methods: A total of 500 Bahrainis aged 3-6 years were selected via a multistage convenient sampling technique. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 health centers from five health regions in Bahrain during September 2018. A data sheet and questionnaire were filled out by parents. The World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index (BMI) growth charts were used to assess the weight status in children by interpreting z-score. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v23, MINITAB, and WHO Anthroplus.
Results: The prevalence of obesity among Bahrani preschoolers in 2018 was 6%. Physical activity, maternal education, and sleeping duration (in males) were associated with obesity. At the same time, the type of delivery, feeding during the first six months, screen-based media use, paternal education, sleeping duration (in females), and dietary habits were not associated with an increased risk of obesity.
Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in preschoolers increased from 5.2% in 2013 to 6% in 2018. A positive correlation was found between decreased duration of physical activity and obesity in preschoolers. Likewise, preschoolers with mothers of no formal education or with a post-graduate degree had a higher risk of being obese. In addition, sleeping for more prolonged durations showed an increased risk of obesity in male preschoolers. All other studied factors lacked a significant relationship with obesity.
Keywords: BMI, Obesity, z-score, Bahrain