Study determinants of increased Z-Score of Body Mass Index in preschool-age children

Abstract Objective : To determine the association between socioeconomic level, gender, stunting and other characteristics with the presence of overweight/obesity in the preschool children.Result : BMI/Age Z score > + 2 SD was found in 19.5% of the children. It was more common among the children from areas with high socio-economic level (OR: 2.43; 95% CI 1.54, 3.84, and p < 0.000) . obesity was higher among the males (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.09, 2.8, and p < 0.02) compared to females. The increased duration of breast feeding, was significantly associated with increased BMI/Age Z-score (b= 0.027, p < 0.004). Decreased age of the child was significantly associated with increased BMI/Age Z-score (b= - 0.013, p + 2 SD compared to the normal children (OR 6.73; 95% CI 3.79, 10.80, and p + 2 SD. Thus male gender, high socioeconomic condition, increased duration of breast feeding and stunting were significantly associated with overweight/obesity in preschool children