Estimating population attributable risk fraction of determinants of pediatric obesity

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Childhood obesity presents a significant global health and socioeconomic challenge.
• The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, necessitating research into its contributing factors.
• Understanding modifiable risk factors is key to developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between modifiable lifestyle factors and obesity in Iranian children and adolescents.
• To determine the population attributable risk fraction (PARF) for identified obesity risk factors in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide cross-sectional study involving 12,153 school-aged students.
• Data collected via physical examination and self-administered questionnaires on diet, physical activity, screen time, sleep, socioeconomic status (SES), and passive smoking.
• Logistic regression and PARF calculations were employed to analyze risk factor associations and their population-level impact.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of obesity among Iranian children and adolescents was 10.4%.
• Unhealthy dietary habits, moderate to high family SES, body shape dissatisfaction, and prolonged screen time were significantly associated with obesity.
• An estimated 33.2% of obesity cases in this population could be attributed to these modifiable factors.

Conclusions:

• A substantial portion of childhood and adolescent obesity in Iran is linked to unhealthy dietary patterns, extended screen time, and higher family SES.
• These findings underscore the importance of targeting these modifiable factors in public health initiatives.
• The study provides valuable data for designing and implementing effective obesity interventions for young populations.