Abstract:
Background: Childhood obesity has increased dramatically and has become a public health concern worldwide.
Childhood obesity is likely to persist through adulthood and may lead to early onset of NCDs. However, there is
paucity of data on obesity among primary school children in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and
determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among school age children in randomly selected schools in Dar
es Salaam. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard procedures. Body Mass
Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). Child obesity
was defined as BMI at or above 95th percentile for age and sex. Socio-demographic characteristics of children were
determined using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine association between
independent variables with obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam.
Results: A total of 446 children were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 11.1±2.0 years
and 53.1% were girls. The mean BMI, SBP and DBP were 16.6±4.0 kg/m2, 103.9±10.3mmHg and 65.6±8.2mmHg
respectively. The overall prevalence of child obesity was 5.2% and was higher among girls (6.3%) compared to boys
(3.8%). Obese children had significantly higher mean values for age (p=0.042), systolic and diastolic blood pressures
(all p<0.001). Most obese children were from households with fewer children (p=0.019) and residing in urban areas
(p=0.002). Controlling for other variables, age above 10 years (AOR=3.3, 95% CI=1.5-7.2), female sex (AOR=2.6, 95%
CI=1.4-4.9), urban residence (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.2-5.3) and having money to spend at school (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-
4.8) were significantly associated with child obesity.
Conclusions: The prevalence of childhood obesity in this population was found to be low. However, children from
urban schools and girls were proportionately more obese compared to their counterparts. Primary preventive
measures for childhood obesity should start early in childhood and address socioeconomic factors of parents
contributing to childhood obesity.
