Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Iranian School Children in Different Ethnicities.
OBJECTIVE
Malnutrition, overweight and obesity are major health concerns in modern societies and especially among children. Overweight and obesity affect children's current and future health. It is known that the prevalence of overweight differs by race, sex, and geographic location.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study 30092 Iranian children aged 7-18 years in six ethnic groups were selected by a cluster sampling. Prevalence of obesity and overweight and distribution of body mass index (BMI) by gender, age, and ethnicity were measured. Cutoff points of BMI for defining obesity and overweight were based on the Iranian, and IOTF standard values.


RESULTS
This study showed a significant ethnic difference in BMI. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian children was 9.27% and 3.22% respectively comparing international standards. The frequency of overweight and obesity was higher in boys.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed a significant difference in BMI among different ethnic groups.
Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Seyed-Jalil
SJ
Mirmohammadi
Rahmatollah
R
Hafezi
Amir Houshang
AH
Mehrparvar
Bibiseyedeh
B
Rezaeian
Hamed
H
Akbari