Risk Factors Associated with Adolescent Obesity in an Urban Area, North-West Nigeria

Adolescence is a vulnerable period of transition and a time for establishing healthy or risky behaviours. Adolescents constitute the strategic link between a nation's past and the future. Adolescent obesity is an epidemic of global proportions which has affected both industrialized and developing countries. Identifying factors that influence adolescent obesity in our environment would help to strengthen preventive measures, reduce the disease burden, and ultimately improve adult health.

A cross-sectional study conducted in secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis, North-West Nigeria. The participants were selected using systematic sampling method. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

One hundred and fifty adolescents were recruited into the study. This consisted of 85(56.7%) girls and 65(43.3%) boys. The mean age of the participants was 14.1 ± 2.3 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.3% and 14.0% respectively. Factors identified to be associated with the development of obesity included lack of sporting activities (c2 = 8.18, p= 0.04) and the number of hours of sleep daily (c2 = 17.91, p= 0.01). All except one of the obese adolescents consumed snacks/soft drinks, though the relationship between adolescent obesity and consumption of snacks/soft drinks was not statistically significant (c2 = 5.58, p= 0.13).

Addressing the risk factors associated with adolescent obesity is a key to reversing this global epidemic. Health education on appropriate sleep pattern and engaging in sporting activities should be emphasized in secondary schools.