CHILDHOOD OBESITY AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN THE TEMA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Childhood obesity has been established to be a major public health concern globally. Children who are obese are more likely to stay obese into adulthood and to develop non communicable diseases (NCDs) at a younger age. The study sought to investigate childhood obesity and its associated factors among primary school pupils within Tema Metropolis. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 363 upper primary school pupils in the Tema Metropolis. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to examine the associations between background characteristics and childhood obesity. The results provide evidence that the overall combined prevalence of obesity among school pupils in the Tema Metropolis was 15.43%. Pupils who consumed less fruits and vegetables but consumed more sweetened drinks or substituted fruits and vegetables with high fat and refined cereals were more likely to be obese. Furthermore, those who ate breakfast consistently were less likely to become obese. Also, the results from the study showed that more than half (51.24%) of the pupils who watch television each day were more likely to be obese. Additionally, pupils who performed less physical activities were more likely to become obese compared to those who engaged in more physical activities. The findings of this study also showed that pupils (15.91%) who were obese were from low economic stratum. To sustain a healthy dietary habit and physical activity among primary school pupils in the Tema Metropolis, the Ghana Education Service (GES) must strengthen Physical Education activities and make it compulsory to pupils in the basic schools. GES and Ghana Health Service (GHS) must also develop policies to ensure cooks or venders at the school canteen sell healthy foods to the school pupils. GHS must provide information on healthy active lifestyle and dietary habits to parents in order to ensure their children also embrace it and improve upon their health.