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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Body weight status of school adolescents in Terengganu, Malaysia: a population baseline study

Authors: Aryati Ahmad, Nurzaime Zulaily, Nor Saidah Abdul Manan, Mohd Razif Shahril, Sharifah Wajihah Wafa Syed Saadun Tarek Wafa, Rahmah Mohd Amin, Engku Fadzli Hasan Syed Abdullah, Amran Ahmed

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Body weight is highly associated with overall health status. Being severely thin or obese may impose the risk of many health problems. Early detection of body mass index (BMI) status may help to reduce the associated comorbidities. Although many studies in the literature have investigated the BMI of school adolescents in Malaysia, the data on status of body weight among school adolescents in suburban states like Terengganu is limited. This study aimed to describe the body weight status of the whole population of school adolescents in all seven districts in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, body weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated and classified using WHO BMI-for-age Z-score. Data was obtained using the National Fitness Standard (SEGAK) assessment, which was uploaded in a specific Health Monitoring System (HEMS).

Results

From a total of 62,567 school adolescents, 50.7% were boys and 49.3% were girls. Girls had significantly higher BMI than boys in age groups of 13 to 15 and 16 to 17 years old. Among boys and girls, there were significant differences in mean BMI of school adolescents between rural and urban school locations in all age groups (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in BMI between boys and girls in all districts in Terengganu, except Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu, for all age groups (p < 0.001). Overall, the prevalence of thinness, normal, overweight and obesity were 8.4, 64.6, 15.0 and 12.0%, respectively. There were significant differences between BMI categories and genders in total participants, and within rural and urban school locations (p < 0.05). In all districts except Marang and Dungun, significant difference was also found between BMI categories and genders.

Conclusion

The prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity in Terengganu were substantial. In this study, BMI category was associated with gender, age, school location and district. However, the actual effects of these factors on the prevalence of thinness and obesity among this population demand further investigation.
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Metadata
Title
Body weight status of school adolescents in Terengganu, Malaysia: a population baseline study
Authors
Aryati Ahmad
Nurzaime Zulaily
Nor Saidah Abdul Manan
Mohd Razif Shahril
Sharifah Wajihah Wafa Syed Saadun Tarek Wafa
Rahmah Mohd Amin
Engku Fadzli Hasan Syed Abdullah
Amran Ahmed
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3911-2

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