Factors Associated with Overweight among Children Aged 5 Years in Phatthalung Province

Abstract

This analytic retrospective study was to investigate factors associated with overweight among children aged 5 years in Phatthalung Province. In this study, 1,191 children born between January and December 2010 were followed-up and evaluated for nutritional status at 5 years old by measuring weight for height. Data were collected from the 43 standard health database in Phatthalung Province. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed in this study. Results revealed that maternal occupation and birth order were significantly associated with overweight among children aged 5 years.

That was, children who had unemployed mother were 3 times more likely to be at risk of overweight, compared to those whose mothers were agriculturists, sales or employees (OR=3.31, 95%CI: 1.11-9.87). In addition, children who were the first birth order were 2 times more likely to be at risk of overweight, compared to those with second birth order or more (OR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.16-3.96). Results suggested that health professional should follow-up and monitor the overweight condition among children with the maternal and child risk factors. Thus, health promoting activities and care should be provided to children with particular attention on those who had unemployed mother or with first birth order in order to reduce health impact associated with overweight among preschool children.