|| Print ISSN: 2589-7837 || Online ISSN: 2581-3935 || International Journal of Medical Science and Diagnosis Research (IJMSDR) Available Online at www.ijmsdr.com PubMed (National Library of Medicine ID: 101738825) Volume 3, Issue 10; October: 2019; Page No. 20-29 Original Research Article DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.32553/IJMSDR/v3i10.4 20 | Page STUDY OF RISK FACTORS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY AGED 9_12 YEARS OLD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN BENGHAZI Safia S. Elramli: MSc Clinical Nutation and Health Glasgow Caledonian University, Teaching staff at University of Benghazi Nutrition Department Amira Mahmoud Omar Al Musmari, Saada Fawzi Altalhi & Hanaa Hussin Almoqaspi (Public Health Students) Conflicts of Interest: Nil Corresponding author: Safia S. Elramli Abstract: Background Identification of risk factors is critical to preventing the childhood obesity epidemic. Risk factors that contribute to obesity are multifactorial. However, limited research has focused on identifying obesity risk factors Aim: To identify risk factors for overweight and obese children in public school in Benghazi aged 9-12 years old. Methods: A cross‐sectional study of children 9 to 12 y old was performed between the 5th of April to the 22th April 2019. A total of 160 students-91 girls and 69 boys were observed. Weight and height were measured, and parents filled out a questionnaire about family characteristics, birth history eating practice, and eating pattern. Overweight and obesity, using age‐ and sex‐specific body mass index (BMI) cut‐off points as defi ned by the International Obesity Taskforce, were used. Results: After adjustment for age and sex, the odds ratio for childhood obesity increased by low hours of plying outside, birth rank and dietary patterns and there was no conclusive evidence of an association between paternal education and outcome. As well as, family characteristics and demographics, birth weight, breast feeding and T.V viewing Conclusion: Our data support the perspective that education about energy intake, high fast food and high level of fat content should be used much earlier in those with high‐risk children Introduction Obesity is an important lifestyle-related public health problem worldwide The prevalence of obesity in children has risen significantly during the past few decades not only in developed countries but also in developing countries (1) . Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents, childhood obesity presents a number of immediate and long- term health risks, including several adverse physiological and psychological health consequences (2) . Childhood obesity considered a metabolic derangement has become a global health problem and is associated with increased incidence of hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease and osteoarthritis and overall increases morbidity and mortality during adult life (3) . Childhood obesity is an established problem in high income countries and is now becoming a major public health problem, especially in middle-low income countries (4) . Results from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 6.5 to 19.6% of children ages 6-11-years- old are obese. As well, the prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12-19-year-old increased from 5 to 18.1% during the same period (5) . Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to determine childhood overweight and obesity. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters (6) . Children who have a body mass index (BMI) at the same level or higher than 95 percent of their peers are considered to be obese (6) . Childhood obesity is a serious health threat to children. Kids in the obese category have surpassed simply being overweight and are at risk for a number of chronic health conditions. Poor health stemming from childhood obesity can continue into adulthood (7) . Risk factors for obesity included parental fatness, social factors, birth weight, timing or rate of maturation, physical activity, dietary factors and other behavioral or psychological factors. Offspring of obese parent(s) were consistently seen to be at increased risk of fatness, although few studies have looked at this relationship over longer periods of