Adolescent Obesity and its Association with Socio-Demographic Profile, Lifestyle Factors, Dietary and Physical Activity Patterns; Findings from Southwestern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:The prevalence of adolescent obesity is rising in all parts of the world, but only very few studies have considered factors influencing obesity among Nigerian adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with sociodemographic profile, lifestyle factors, dietary patterns, and physical activity patterns among in-school adolescents in Southwest Nigeria. METHODS:A total sample size of 400 in-school adolescents were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique from secondary schools in Ile-Ife. The dietary patterns were assessed using a 92-item FFQ, while the activity patterns were assessed using the physical activity questionnaire for older children and adolescents. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS. RESULTS:There were 211 (52.8%) males and 189 (47.3%) females, with mean ages of 14.8 ± 2.1 and 14.4 ± 1.9 years, respectively. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 12.8%. The associated factors were age, sex, class, the number of children in the family, birth orders and the dietary pattern dominated by starchy foods, roots and tubers (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:The prevalence of overweight/obesity was relatively high among the respondents. It was associated with age, the number of children in the family, and adolescents' birth order. WAJM 2022; 39(2): 119-126.