Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in Preschool Children in Northwest of Tehran, Iran

Background: Nowadays childhood overweight and obesity are considered as a global epidemic, the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing in the Iran. Aim and Objectives: For prevention and control the disease, knowledge of population statistics of obesity and overweight is essential, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence obesity and overweight and related factor in preschool children in northwest of Tehran in 2015. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 17484 preschool children aged 5-7 in northwest of Tehran (Regions 2, 5 and 6 of Tehran Municipality), capital of Iran. Data collection was performed by 11 general practitioner and 24 trained experts that measuring height by Non-elastic tape measure with an accuracy of 1 cm, and weight by Analog scales SECA brand with accuracy 100 g between May until the end of October 2014, and WHO Child Growth Standards is used to classify overweight and obesity. Data analysis is done by using SPSS. 11.5 software and chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children was respectively 20 and 6.8, prevalence of obesity and overweight was different based on sex (p = 0.001), so the prevalence of obesity in girls was higher than boys and the prevalence of overweight in boys was higher than girls. Also prevalence of obesity children in 7 year age was higher compared children 5, 6 years old. Conclusion: Our findings showed a relatively high prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children, therefore, the plan for the control and prevention of the problem must be a high priority for health policy maker, also further epidemiological studies into the etiology and trend are essential.