Prevalence and Correlates of Obesity among Private Day Primary School Going Children (9-12 years) in Kampala City - Central Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time and whereas it affects all children, it greatly affects primary school going children. More than one third of children are affected by overweight or obesity by the time they leave primary school, and severe obesity within this group has reached its highest point yet and this problem is prominent in private primary school going children. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of obesity among private day primary school going children (9-12 years) in Kampala city. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study design was adopted targeting 383 pupils in private day primary schools of Kampala city. The divisions were stratified, and simple random sampling used to sample two schools per division, within which systematic random sampling was used to sample the pupils who participated in this study. A structured questionnaire and anthropometry were used to collect the study data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 and findings presented using tables and figures. Results: The prevalence of obesity among private day primary school going children (9-12 years) in Kampala city was 4.7% (n = 18). Snacking (AOR = 9.26, CI = 2.19 -19.15, P = 0.03), playing of computer games\mobile games (AOR = 3.65, CI = 1.20 - 11.12, P = 0.02) were the intrapersonal correlates that increased chances of being obese. Encouragement by parents to participate in physical activity at home was the intra-household correlate which (AOR = 0.31, CI = 0.11 - 0.86 - 0.03) decreased chances of being obese. Conclusion and recommendation: Obesity among private day primary school going children in Kampala city is prevalent, at almost 5%, which is substantial. It is associated to mainly some intrapersonal and intra-household characteristics. Interventions to prevent childhood obesity should therefore target those two levels of influence. Considering that a small sample of schools was considered, there is a need for further inquiry with a larger sample size and using triangulated data sources.