Anthropometric index and life style behaviors of 7-12 years children of Buin-Zahra county in 2018

Abstract

Children in elementary school ages due to entering the new era of their life are more high risk of facing with wrong food habits that have been associated with noncommunicable diseases. This study was conducted to assess obesity/overweight status and lifestyle behavior (diet, physical activity and screen time) in 7-12 years children in Buin-Zahra health network. The data of 120 children from “SIB system" was collected in January 2018 as a cross-sectional study. It consisted of weight, height, amount of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and junk foods intake, physical activity and screen time. Z-score for height for age (HAZ), body mass index for age (BAZ) and weight for age (WAZ) were calculated using World Health Organization reference data. Anthropometric assessments revealed obesity (BAZ>2) in 6.6%, thinness (BAZ<-2) in 13.3% and stunting (HAZ<-2) in 4.1% of children. Stunting and thinness were significantly more common in males. Fruit, vegetable and dairy products intake and screen time were more in females. A strong positive correlation between screen time and age was significant at the 0.01 level. There are substantial rates of stunting, thinness, and obesity in 7-12 years children. The results suggest the need for evaluating health caregivers' educational methods to improve nutritional status in children.