title: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Irbid governorate, Jordan.
abstract: Overweight and obesity is an escalating health problem in both developed and developing countries. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 13-16 years in Irbid governorate, Jordan, and to compare the prevalence by sex, residential area and socioeconomic status. In a cluster random sample of 1355 school students the prevalence of overweight and obesity (body mass index > or = 85th percentile) was 24.4% (15.7% overweight and 8.7% obese) and was significantly higher among female students, students who lived in urban areas and those with working parents. This high prevalence of overweight is a serious concern for public health in Jordan.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. nesrin@just.edu.jo
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Abu Baker
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Daradkeh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data