Weight excess among high-school students: Relation with mental health and sociodemographic factors

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Published Mar 10, 2024
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v102i3.4802
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Vol. 102 No. 3 (2024): Tunis med mar 2024

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Ferdaous Ouni
Doctoral Commission "Health Science", Department of Epidemiology(LR19SP03).Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse. Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse. Tunisia
Rim Ghammam
Department of Epidemiology (LR19SP03).Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia
Sihem Benfredj
Department of Epidemiology (LR19SP03).Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia
Nawel Zammit
Department of Epidemiology (LR19SP03).Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia
Israr El Echi
Faculty of Medicine of Sousse. University of Sousse, Tunisia
Souhir Chelly
Hospital Hygiene Service. Farhat Hached hospital ,Sousse,Faculty of Medicine of Sousse. University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
Houda Kalboussi
Department of occupational Health, (LR19SP03). Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse. Faculty of Medicine of Sousse. University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
Jihen Maatoug
Department of Epidemiology (LR19SP03).Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia
Imed Harrabi
Department of Epidemiology (LR19SP03). Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia
Hassen Ghannem
Department of Epidemiology (LR19SP03).Farhat Hached Hospital,Sousse, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: The escalating prevalence of adolescent obesity represents a complex public health challenge, influenced by interactions of environmental, socio-economic, and behavioral factors. Recent studies reveal a surge in addictive substance use among adolescents, with non-substance addictions. Overweight adolescents are particularly susceptible to risky behaviors. Tunisia is not exempt from this issue, facing a rapidly increasing prevalence.


Aim: Our work aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity among adolescents and to explore the connections between sociodemographic factors, mental health, and overweight in this demographic group.


Methods: A cross-sectional study was led among sample of Tunisian high school adolescents from Sousse. We enrolled study participants through proportional stratified sampling.


Results: Our study included 1399students, predominantly female, with an average age of 17±1.5 years. The average BMI (Body Mass Index) was 22.7±4.1 kg/m². According to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), 20.4% were overweight, and 7% were obese, resulting in an overall weight excess prevalence of 27.4%. Girls exhibited a higher weight excess prevalence compared to boys. Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with overweight and obesity, including maternal self-employment(aOR=2.13,[1.35-3.35];p<0.001), regular physical activity (aOR=0.61,[0.47-0.8];p<0.001), internet usage ≥2 hours (aOR=0.70,[0.50-0.99];p=0.045), daily fruit-vegetable consumption (aOR=1.51,[1.15-1.97]; p=0.003), possible alexithymia (aOR=1.55,[1.07-2.22];p=0.018), probable anxiety (aOR=1.28,[0.87-1.89]; p=0.007), very probable anxiety (aOR=1.61,[1.14-2.2]; p=0.037), and problematic Facebook-use (aOR=0.67,[0.50-0.89]; p=0.006).


Conclusion: Understanding factors tied to excess weight in our social and cultural context is crucial in shaping effective public health strategies. Interventions should adopt a multisectoral approach specifically targeting working mothers within the adolescent's socio-familial environment .....( abstract truncated at 250 words).

Keywords:

obesity, overweight , mental health , addiction, adolescent

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