PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN ADOLESCENTS IN BIRJAND

Abstract<br />INTRODUCTION: This population-based study was conducted to assess the prevalence<br />of overweight and obesity in high schools in the city of Birjand in Khorasan Province,<br />Eastern Iran.<br />METHODS: In this descriptive study, we attempted to determine the prevalence of<br />overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents attending high school in Birjand in 2005.<br />A sample of 2230 high school students (1115 boys and 1115 girls) aged 15-18 years was<br />selected via stepwise random sampling in four districts of Birjand. Overweight and<br />obesity were defined based on the 85th and 95th percentiles of BMI for age, respectively,<br />as proposed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2000.<br />RESULTS: The overall prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 6.1% and 2.3%,<br />respectively. The prevalence of overweight was 5% in boys and 7.1% in high school girls.<br />The prevalence of obesity was 2.8% and 1.8% in high school boys and girls, respectively.<br />CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in high schools in the city of<br />Birjand is lower than figures reported by other studies conducted in Iran and in other<br />countries.<br />Key Words: Prevalence, overweight, obesity, adolescents