The overweight prevalence amongst grade-one learners and parental perceptions of childhood nutrition / physical activity in West Rand, Gauteng
Date
2014-03-25
Authors
Ismail, Abdul Hameed
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Abstract
The problem of childhood obesity in South Africa has reached epidemic proportions.
It is estimated that one in five South African children are either overweight or obese;
with twenty percent of children under the age of six being overweight. This is
mainly due to a poor diet and a lack of exercise. The aim of this study is to
determine the overweight / obesity prevalence amongst grade-one learners at selected
schools in the West Rand, Mogale City.
The weight and height of each subject was to be physically measured by the
researcher and compared to norms for that age category. This study further aims to
determine their parents knowledge / perceptions regarding childhood nutrition and
physical activity. To this end a questionnaire was constructed so that parental
knowledge / beliefs could be assessed. This study has found both overweight and
underweight within the same population.
The results indicate overweight / obesity in seventeen subjects (3.7%). Eleven girls
(4.8%) and six boys (3%) were overweight representing a boy to girl ratio of 1: 1.8
among the overweight group. Among the overweight subjects, girls represented 65%
while boys represented 35%. This study has also found underweight / stunting of
growth among the eight and nine year old subjects as their weight for height fell
below the 25th percentile. Further classification of the study sample according to
school-fee structure revealed that all subjects with overweight / obesity were found
within low-fee schools, representing 4%. One boy and one girl each were found with
obesity among the overweight group having a body mass index (BMI) of 23.8 and
24.8 respectively. Therefore obesity was found in 12% among the overweight group
and within low-fee structure schools.