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Bmi of Students in Five Ethnic Groups in Iran and Its Relationship With Some Demographic and Familial Variables



Motlagh ME1 ; Taheri M2 ; Tahmasby B3 ; Hassanzadehrostami Z4 ; Abdi Z5 ; Nasrollahpour Shirvani SD6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Nursing, Amol Faculty of Nursing, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  4. 4. School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  5. 5. National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

Source: Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Published:2017

Abstract

Background and purpose: Nowadays, increasing body mass index (BMI) in adolescents that is caused by different factors is a major health threat in communities. This study aimed to determine the BMI of students and associated factors in 5 Iranian ethnic groups. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in high school students aged 12-14 years, from 5 ethnic groups, including Arab, Kurd, Sistani/Baluchi, Turk, and Turkaman. They were selected through random stratified sampling in winter 2015. Data was collected via a questionnaire containing open and closed questions in three sections: demographic, contextual, and dependent variables. The students were classified into four categories: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese according to their BMI. Data analysis was then conducted in SPSS18. Results: A total of 2444 students was studied of whom 51.9% were females and 56.9% lived in urban areas. he mean BMI of students was 19.7±3.9 kg/m2 and 24.2% were overweight and obese. The highest and lowest rates of overweight and obesity were found in Arabs and Sistani/Baluchi, respectively. In this study, the relationships between BMI and 25 variables were investigated. We observed significant relationships between BMI and ethnicity, having a family car, maternal diabetes, number of children, type of birth, physiological maturity and how to travel between home and school (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, the BMI in almost a quarter of the students was higher than the normal range. Some personal and family factors could increase students’ BMI. Therefore, interventions to screen and control the BMI in students are needed. © 2017, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.