[Study of overweight and obesity in a population of urban school children in Sousse, Tunisia].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their relationship with cardiovascular disease risk factors.


METHODS
Epidemiological survey based on a representative sample of 1569 urban school children of Sousse, Tunisia.


RESULTS
Overweight (BMI > or = 25) was significantly higher in girls (16.1%) than in boys (11.6%); (chi 2 = 8.2; p = 0.004). Obesity (BMI > or = 30) was slightly higher in girls (3.7%) than in boys (2.7%); (chi 2 = 0.89; p = 0.34). Girls had significantly higher BMI, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels than boys who had however significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure. Overweight was significantly higher in children who did not practice sport at school: 22 versus 13.1% (p < 0.002), in groups of youngsters who were not affiliated to school sport or city associations. Overweight children had a significantly higher levels of cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and means of systolic and diastolic blood pressures.


CONCLUSIONS
These results will serve to set up a regional program of health promotion at schools.
Gaha
R
R
Service d'épidémiologie, CHU Farhat-Hached, 4000 Sousse, Tunisie.
Ghannem
H
H
Harrabi
I
I
Ben Abdelazi
A
A
Lazreg
F
F
Fredj
A Hadj
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology