PREVALENCE OF CHILDHOOD OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN DIRE DAWA TOWN, EASTERN ETHIOPIA 2016.

Introduction: The double burden of malnutrition in developing countries is a challenge to people health. Childhood obesity is related to an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory disease and orthopedic disorders during childhood as well as its adverse effects in adulthood. Obesity in children is increasing worldwide. More than 10 percent children 5 to 17 years of age is obese.
Objective: The overall purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood overweight, obesity and its associated factors in elementary school children of Dire Dawa town Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was conducted in Dire Dawa town of Eastern Ethiopia from March 1st to 30th, 2016. School based cross-sectional study design was applied. Participants were selected by multistage sampling. Data was collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaires, face to face interview and weight and height measurements through trained eight data collectors. Data were coded and entered in epi-data version 3.1 and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with childhood overweight and obesity. Statistical significance declared at p-value less than 0.05