Prevalence of overweight and obesity among rural and urban primary school going children of Uganda (Kisoro and Kampala respectively)

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are increasing across the world. Previously it was more in developed countries but is now also prevalent in developing countries. We undertook this study to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity in public day primary school going children of Kampala and Kisoro districts in Uganda. This research used a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Participants were public day primary school going children (n=810) between 6 and 12 years. Waist circumference, height and weight of each child were measured to describe the weight status of the children. Out of the 810 students used in the study, 56(6.91%) were underweight, 698(86.17%) were normal weight, 45(5.56%) were overweight and 11(1.36%) were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in rural areas was 1.95% and 0% respectively while for urban (Kampala) was 9.25% and 2.75% respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in rural (Kisoro) and urban (Kampala) was 2% and 12% respectively. The waist circumference of rural school going children was generally higher than that of urban school going children. There is prevalence of overweight and obesity in Uganda and this is more in urban school going children than the rural school going children. Therefore, interventions to reduce on overweight and obesity need to be developed.