Childhood obesity in South African school learners

Recent research in South Africa examined 1559 school learners aged 7-18 years old to determine the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity, its determinants, and associated comorbidities. Obesity and overweight combined were found to be common, affecting up to 23% of participants.

 

The odds of being overweight or obese were higher for girls, and for Black African learners. High rates of sedentary behaviour (83.6%) and poor dietary diversity in food groups (43.8%) were observed.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight and obese participants was ethnically distributed: Coloured (mixed ancestry) and White learners were more likely to have low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, while Black African learners had higher odds of hypertension.  Read the full research study here.