Childhood overweight and obesity, does the school environment pose a risk? Evidence from basic schools in Ho Municipal, Ghana
1
Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
There are relatively high levels of overweight and obesity among in-school children and adolescents in Ghana. Evidence also shows that being overweight or obese as a child also increases the risk of obesity, morbidity, and early death in adulthood due to obesity-induced comorbidity. In-school children and adolescents spend long duration in school and exposed to overweight and obesity risk factors present in this setting. This research identifies contextual and demographic factors specific to body mass index of in-school children and adolescents.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 400 learners aged 8-22 years in 14 basic schools in the Ho municipality of Ghana. The WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance of NCD risk factors questionnaire was adapted for use in the study. Data was collected in reference to the school setting on school type, intake of soft drinks, physical activity (vigorous and moderate intensity), number of days of eating fruit or vegetable, ever consumed alcohol, socio-demographic factors (sex and age) and anthropometric measures were taken using a stadiometer of learners. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, multinomial logistics regression was used for analysis.
RESULTS:
Being a learner in a public school (RRR= 0.549; 95% CI = 0.289-1.040), no intake of fruits (RRR= 2.533; 95% CI= 1.238-5.184) or vegetables (RRR= 0.315; 95% CI= 0.090-1.104) in school on any day of the week are associated with underweight body mass index. Being a male is also significantly associated with overweight (RRR= 4.463; 95% CI = 1.935-10.294) and obesity (RRR= 2.169; 95% CI= 1.080-4.354).
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings indicate that behaviours in the school settings as well as sex (a demographic factor) of the learner determine body mass index status. Stakeholders of basic education should support schools to improve the school environment. Responses are based on self-reports. Social desirability and recall bias may have taken place.
There are relatively high levels of overweight and obesity among in-school children and adolescents in Ghana. Evidence also shows that being overweight or obese as a child also increases the risk of obesity, morbidity, and early death in adulthood due to obesity-induced comorbidity. In-school children and adolescents spend long duration in school and exposed to overweight and obesity risk factors present in this setting. This research identifies contextual and demographic factors specific to body mass index of in-school children and adolescents.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 400 learners aged 8-22 years in 14 basic schools in the Ho municipality of Ghana. The WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance of NCD risk factors questionnaire was adapted for use in the study. Data was collected in reference to the school setting on school type, intake of soft drinks, physical activity (vigorous and moderate intensity), number of days of eating fruit or vegetable, ever consumed alcohol, socio-demographic factors (sex and age) and anthropometric measures were taken using a stadiometer of learners. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, multinomial logistics regression was used for analysis.
RESULTS:
Being a learner in a public school (RRR= 0.549; 95% CI = 0.289-1.040), no intake of fruits (RRR= 2.533; 95% CI= 1.238-5.184) or vegetables (RRR= 0.315; 95% CI= 0.090-1.104) in school on any day of the week are associated with underweight body mass index. Being a male is also significantly associated with overweight (RRR= 4.463; 95% CI = 1.935-10.294) and obesity (RRR= 2.169; 95% CI= 1.080-4.354).
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings indicate that behaviours in the school settings as well as sex (a demographic factor) of the learner determine body mass index status. Stakeholders of basic education should support schools to improve the school environment. Responses are based on self-reports. Social desirability and recall bias may have taken place.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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