The Rate of Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Affecting Body Mass Index (BMI) among Teenagers in Derna City, Libya

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used anthropometric measurement to estimate the level of nutritional indices (underweight/overweight) of adolescents and adults. Knowledge of the factors affecting BMI is essential for developing intervention programs. The aim of the present study was to measure BMI and determine the socioeconomic and demographic factors affecting the relative weight of children and to identify the prevalence of underweight among school children in Derna, Material and Methods: Libya aged 10–18 years. The sample of this research included 109 school children from both sexes. A randomized cross-sectional study of students was conducted. Questionnaire was used to collect the socioeconomic and demographic status of the participants. BMI (weight/height2, kg/m²) was measured and used as index of relative weight Centers for Disease Control. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Result: A value of P < 0.05 was interpreted as statistically significant. The results show that the prevalence of underweight among schools age children was 11.0%  and effect some selected socio- demographic variables are significant on the nutritional status of Libyan children. Height, Weight and BMI are positively related with age , gender and father's occupation (p < 0.05) and  negative relation between the level of parent's education, family member, family income , meals per day and food source over the nutritional status(p >0.05) . Conclusion: Also the results suggest that younger age children were likely to be underweight than other children. Effect some selected socio- demographic variables are significant on the nutritional status of Libyan children. Height, Weight and BMI are positively related with age, gender and father's occupation .This study will help local governments, educators and community groups develop programs to assist underweight children in schools.