Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity In Pre-School Children At La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality

ABSTRACT Background Overweight and obesity epidemic has become one of the most urgent global health challenges of the 21st century. Studies have shown that over ten times more children and adolescents were obese in the year 2016; 124 million compared to the year 1975; 11 million, according to findings by (WHO, 2017). Overweight and obesity is understood to be imminent before reception year at school thus at 8 months prevalence could be determined (Perry, Thurston, & Arch, 2016). Currently the rate of overweight and obesity is not only related to develop industrialized countries but also to developing countries as well. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children at the University of Ghana Basic School, Legon and Baby Nest School, Legon. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from 1st June to 6th July, 2018 at University of Ghana Basic School (public) and Baby Nest, Legon (private) in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality. Random sampling was used to select 201 pre-schoolers out of a population of 332. Children were at exact age 2, 3, 4, and 5 years at last birthday. A combination of self and interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on food frequency and 24 hour recall; WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (G-PAQ); Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) and Anthropometric measurement (weight and height). Data obtained from the structured questionnaire; food frequency and child eating behaviour questionnaire (CEBQ) was analysed using Stata statistical package version 15.0 StataCorp LLC to generate frequencies, percentages and means (standard deviations). The child eating behaviour questionnaire was analysed by using a five-point Likert scale. Anthropometric measurement – weight (kg) and height (cm) was classified using the WHO Child Growth Chart cut-off point for age-and-sex (WHO, 2007). Assessment of 24-hour recall was done using the nutritional guidelines of WHO healthy diet fact sheet (2015). Associations between dietary habits, physical activity, sociodemographic characteristics and, overweight and obesity was tested using bivariate and multiple logistic regression model. Statistically significant p-values; p