Defining risk factors and over weight-obesity prevalence among primary school students in Bolu

Obesity, which occurs with exceesive fat deposit in body, is a serious disease with its social and economical aspects and can cause morbidty and mortality. Incidence of the obesity, which is called disease of our era, increases gradually every year. This study was planned for determine the prevalance, define the risk factors of obesity among elementary school children between 5.5-14 years old in Bolu in 2012-2013 education year. Student and conservator meetings were performed before measurments. Obesity risk factors questionnaires were filled by students and families before measurments. Anthropometric measurements and body mass indices of 3525 student were calculated. Obesity was diagnosed in % 11.14 of participants, % 10.79 of participants were overweihgted and % 8.3 of female students, % 14 of male students were diagnosed as obese. There was a statistically significant relation between obesity and social-economic status, familial obesity, watching television and computer usage time. As a conclusion obesity is an increasing problem among elemantary school students of our province. Complications that cause serious morbidty and mortality can be prevented with early diagnose of obesity risk factors and interventions. Key Words: Bolu, child, obesity, prevalance, risk factors