Analysis of the body composition of school age children 9-12 years old: Palestinian perspective

Abstract

Obesity is a serious common nutritional condition among children. The global childhood obesity prevalence has tripled since 1970. The purpose of this study was intended to assess gender and age groups that are greatest affected by obesity and overweight among 9 -12 years’ Palestinian school-age children. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A random sample was composed of 971 children with ages ranging from 9 to 12 years old. The results of the study showed that the highest obesity found 13(8.7%) in females age 9 and 12 (12.6%) in males age 12 years. In females, those of age 12 had the highest mean in waist circumference of 65 (SD=7.9) and of 79 (SD=7.8) hip circumference. While, the highest mean of WHR were in those of age 10 of 0.847(SD=0.060) and WHtR of 0.453(SD=0.050) in those of age 9 and of 0.453(SD=0.043) in those of age 10. In males, the age 12 was the highest mean in waist circumference of 66 (SD=10.372) and hip circumference of 79 (SD=12.09). While the highest mean of WHR of 0.89 (SD=0.127) and WHtR of 0.4567(SD=0.066) were in those of age 9 years. This study reported a relatively high prevalence rate of overweight and obesity among children. Obesity among boys was higher than in girls.