Predictors of Overweight/Obesity Among Preschool Children in Arba Minch City, Southern Ethiopia: Does Consumption of Sweet Food Predispose to Overweight/Obesity?

Objectives: Childhood overweight/obesity is a serious public health problem in the world today specially low-and-middle income countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated factors among preschool children.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among preschool children aged 3-5 years in Arba Minch city from April to June 2022. A multistage sampling method was used to select 577 study participants. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire. A binary logistic regression model was used for analysis. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association.

Results: The combined prevalence of overweight/obesity was 23.9% (95% CI: 20.5, 27.6). Age of 36-47 months, family size < five, watching TV/video for ≥2 h, and consuming sweet foods, were factors associated with being overweight/obese among preschool children.

Conclusion: Overweight/obesity was predicted by consuming sweet foods, long time TV/video watching, and large family size in the study area. Special attention should be given to child feeding practices and reducing sedentary lifestyles.