Evaluation of secondary school students in Karabuk in terms of obesogenic environment

Obesity is a multifactorial disease that occurs because of an imbalance in the amount of energy intake and outtake over a long period of time. Considering the increase in the worldwide rate of childhood obesity in recent years, this issue is of critical importance for public health. In this study, it was aimed to examine the environmental, individual and behavioral factors associated with BMI levels among students studying at secondary schools in Karabuk and Safranbolu regions. In this study, a student survey, which provides information about the sociodemographic, physical activity and nutritional behaviors of the students, and a school information form to evaluate the physical and school canteens of the schools were applied. Obesogenic environments of students around their homes and schools were investigated. For this purpose, the distances of geographical locations to each other were calculated as crow-fly and walking network. The number of obesogenic places was found by using the obtained distance data. On the other hand, the distance of the closest obesogenic places to home and school were calculated. Among the students in the study, the rate of underweight/normal 63% (Girl:66,3%, Boy: 58,3%), overweight rate was 24% (Girl: 24%, Boy: 24,3%), and obesity rate was 13% (Girl: 9,7%, Boy: % 17,5). A statistically significant relationship was found between the gender, age, family obesity, TV watching and physical activity duration, canteen shopping frequency, the distribution of the place where they ate lunch and the types of food they consumed and their BMI distribution. In the study, it is concluded that the presence of parks close to the addresses of the students and the school is a significant reducing factor on obesity. In this study, it is seen that the rate of overweight and obesity is high. For this reason, primary health care services should develop effective strategies and policies for the prevention of obesity and take urgent interventions and initiatives. Because school is a good environment to support healthy living behaviors among students, public health authorities should develop school-based health promotion programs and strategies. Considering the environmental effects of obesity in the study, while choosing the location of the students' schools, close to the green areas within walking distance should be chosen.