Abstract
Background: Obesity in preschool children is a growing problem as it is a predictor of adulthood obesity, morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: assess prevalence of overweight and obesity and identify risk factors associated with them among preschool children.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 248 preschool children of both sexes, aged between 2-5 years in rural area in Menoufia Governorate. Sociodemographic data of the studied children and their eating practices were collected. Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Egyptian practice guidelines were used for cut-off values of BMI-for-age, and percentiles were used to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
Results: The overall prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was 21% )15% for overweight and 6% for obesity). Higher prevalence was found among those aged from 3-4 years old (46.7%) and among males (80%). Mothers' education, frequency of junk food and fried food were significantly associated with overweight and obesity (p < 0.05). Also, BMI was significantly affected by mothers' feeding behavior such as allowing the child to eat alone, offering him sweets regularly, using sweets as a reward, mothers' concern about overweight and keeping food out of reach.
Conclusion: Prevalence of preschool obesity increases with multiple risk factors, such as mother's education, frequency of eating junk food and fried food. BMI was affected by mothers' feeding behavior. So, the first five years of life are the best period for primary prevention of obesity.