Weight gain-associated behaviours among pre-school children in Tanta City Egypt

Background: Obesity is a complex disease characterized by excess stored body fat compared with height, with adipose tissue dysfunction contributing to many of the metabolic consequences. The aim of this work was to study behaviors of pre-school children that affect weight gain and to study determinants of children’s behaviors as regard encouraging or inhibiting healthy behaviors among pre-school Children. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive comparative study was carried out on 8 schools chosen by using “Simple Random Sampling”: (Toosing method): four were located in urban areas and the other four were located in rural areas target population were children under 6 years old at the time of beginning the study registered in the selected 8 school nurseries. Results: Children were divided into four groups: 112 were underweight, 411 were normal, 449 were overweight, and 198 were obese. (25.8%) of children delivered by Cesarean section, (35.4%) of children weaned at 1 year old, (10%) of children eating at the fixed time were obese, (52.8%) of children eating while watching TV, (92.6%) of children eating fast foods, (55.9%) of children sleeping less than 6 hours at night were overweight. There was a highly significant difference regarding playing exercise. Conclusions: Behaviors that lead to increased risk of overweight and obesity in preschool children include preferring caesarean section, early weaning, escaping breakfast, eating while watching television, eating fast foods, sleep restriction or sleeping less than six hours at night, and presence of sleeping problems. Exercising has a great effect on controlling weight.