Prevalence and influencing factors of obesity in preschool children in Suzhou, China.

Abstract

Background: The study aims to assess the prevalence of obesity among preschool children in Suzhou, China, and analyze potential risk factors to the condition.

Methods: The study included preschool children aged 3-6 from various kindergartens in Suzhou. Height and weight measurements were used to determine obesity status, while parents completed questionnaires on relevant information. The Chi-square test was applied to compare obesity rates across groups, and stepwise logistic regression analysis identified associated risk factors for obesity.

Results: Eight hundred and forty-eight preschoolers participated. The overall obesity prevalence was 14.0%, with 4.0% categorized as moderately obese (and 7.5% as mildly obese. Boys had a higher obesity prevalence than girls (15.3% vs. 12.7%), and rural children higher than urban children (17.2% vs. 13.1%), although these differences were not statistically significant. Obesity was most prevalent among 3-year-olds (16.1%) and least prevalent among 6-year-olds (11.2%). Logistic regression identified age (boys: OR=0.30; 95%CI: 0.19-0.38, girls: OR=0.24; 95%CI: 0.17-0.36), height (boys: OR=1.21; 95%CI: 1.16-1.26, girls: OR=1.25; 95%CI: 1.18-1.38), and urban location (boys: OR=0.60; 95%CI: 0.34-0.86, girls: OR=0.48; 95%CI: 0.31-0.84) as significant independent predictors for obesity in preschool children in Suzhou, China.

Conclusions: The obesity rate among preschool children in Suzhou is 14.0%. The study highlights lower age, higher height, and rural location as important factors influencing obesity in both sex.