SURVEY OF OBESITY, UNDERWEIGHT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND DIETARY CONSUMPTION AMONG MALE STUDENTS IN GUIDANCE SCHOOLS OF MAKOO

Overweight and underweight are health threatening factors. The first step in
combat with over and under weight is obtaining data about their prevalence and risk factors. We aimed
to complete local and national science about prevalence of over and underweight and their related risk
factors.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive – analytical study conducted on a representative sample of
boys who studied in guidance schools in Makoo. We randomly selected 650 students. Demographic
data was obtained by a check list, food intake evaluated by validated food frequency questionnaire and
physical activity was assessed by validated physical activity questionnaire (PAQ-C). Weight and
height were measured by standard protocols and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data was
analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS.
Results: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 12.1%, 10.8% and 8%
respectively. This study showed an indirect correlation between physical activity and BMI, and direct
correlation between parent educational level and BMI, and between times spent in sedentary activities
(TV viewing and working with computer) and BMI. Obese students consumed more calories, but the
difference between underweight, overweight and obese students in consumption of calories and
macronutrients was not significant.
Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of underweight and overweight in boys who studied
in guidance schools of Makoo. It seems that increasing of physical activity, reducing times spent in
TV viewing and working with computer, and enhancing nutritional information of graduated parents
are very important in control of overweight and obesity in boy adolescents of Makoo