90th percentile of body mass index (BMI) and some obesity risk factors among 7-12 years old school children, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiary, 2002

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in the industrial countries, which has negative physical and emotional effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the 90th percentile of BMI and some risk factors of obesity in school-age children. The study had a cross sectional and a case-control part. In stage one weight and height of 2772 children were measured and 90th percentile of BMI was calculated. In stage two, 188 obese children as the case group and 282 non-obese children as the control group were selected and both groups completed a risk factors questionnaire. Our results showed that children with BMI<18.26 are non-obese. Prevalence of obesity was 9.97%. There was significant correlation between parental or close relatives’ obesity, some kinds of foods, birth weight (only in girls) and children’s obesity. There was no significant correlation between socioeconomic status, diseases such as asthma, education level of parents and children’s obesity.