Incidence of Overweight and Obesity Among Primary School Children in Bomso and Weweso Circuits in Kumasi Metropolis

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the incidences of overweight and obesity among primary school children in Bomso and Weweso circuits within Kumasi Metropolis, based on their lifestyle and the dietary factors. The BMI was used to assess the incidence of overweight and obesity and then finally the parental educational influences on the BMI of the primary school children were also determined. The study adopted the descriptive survey design that employed both qualitative and quantitative (Mixed Method) approach. The population for the study comprised 1500 pupils from four primary schools and their parent. Multi-stage sampling was employed in the study and this involved the use of simple random sampling, purposive sampling and systematic sampling at each stage. These techniques were adopted to select 120 pupils and parents of the selected school children for the study. Pre-tested questionnaire and anthropometry were used to collect data from the school children while an interview guide using telephone interview was used to collect data from parents. Data were analysed with means, percentages and frequencies while hypothesis was tested using Pearson’s productmoment correlation coefficient analysis. The findings revealed that the respondents exhibited sedentary lifestyles, with some skipping meals. Those from public schools had better dietary and lifestyle behaviours as compared with respondents from the private schools. The incidence of overweight and obesity among the total sample was almost a quarter of the respondents but higher among the young ones, the girls more than boys, and among the children from the private schools more than the public schools. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient revealed a strong, positive correlation between high levels of educational level and overweight and obesity among the primary school children [r = 0.58, p < 0.01]. It is recommended that all stakeholders should be educated on children’s health, particularly on causes and effects of overweight/obesity among school children.