Factors associated with adolescent overweight/obesity in Ho Chi Minh city.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with overweight/obesity among adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.


METHODS
In 2004, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using multi-stage cluster sampling. Weight and height of 2 678 students from 31 junior high schools in Ho Chi Minh City were measured. Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a physical activity questionnaire. Parental, household and neighbourhood characteristics were also collected. Factors associated with overweight/obesity in adolescents were modelled using hierarchical, multivariate logistic regression. "Survey commands" in STATA were used to account for the multi-stage cluster sampling design.


RESULTS
After adjusting for other study factors, the odds of overweight/obesity was significantly higher for male gender (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.8, 3.8), younger age (OR=3.4, 95% CI: 2.1, 5.3), schools located in wealthy districts (OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.8, 3.4), higher family economic status (OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.9), higher parental education (OR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.4, 2.9), overweight or obese parents (OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.7, 7.0), more time spent watching TV (OR=4.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 14.7), frequent consumption of soft drinks (OR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.6, 5.3) and more time studying after class (OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.7, 4.9). The odds of overweight/obesity was lower with the availability of fruit at home (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.7), frequent consumption of fruit/vegetables (OR=0.3, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.4) and being physically active (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Family/parental factors as well as children's lifestyle should be taken into account when planning interventions to prevent adolescent obesity.
Division of Community Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. hong.tang@pnt.edu.vn
Kim Hong
KH
Tang
H H D Trang
HH
Nguyen
Michael J
MJ
Dibley
David W
DW
Sibbritt
N T Binh
NT
Phan
T M Hanh
TM
Tran
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology