Incidence of Obesity among a group of Adolescents girls in Alexandria University

Rashad, Wafaa Abed Ei_hamid; Sabery, Nehad; Rashad, Eman Abd-El-Hamid

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2014.202883

Incidence of Obesity among a group of Adolescents girls in Alexandria University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alexandria

² Assistant professor of Pediatric Nursing di Faculty of Nursing, University of Alexandria

³ Consultant, Family Medicine, Ministry of Health, Alexandria, Egypt

10.21608/tsnj.2014.202883

Abstract

A descriptive exploratory cross sectional study was carried out at four faculties at Alexandria University to identify incidence of obesity among a group of adolescents' girls in Alexandria University. A Stratified random sampling technique of 400 females aged up to 19 years who were available at the time of data collection at the previously mentioned settings. Data was collected using a questionnaire sheet which was developed and utilized by the researcher. The researcher met the first year students at a class after a lecture is finished at each faculty and explained the purpose of the study; then the questionnaire sheet was distributed to females who agreed to wait and participate in the study. The researcher was available to answer their inquiries. Data was collected during the first semester, academic year 2013/2014 Results: the incidence of overweight and obesity were found to be 22.0% and 17.0% respectively. The majority of the study sample was not performing regular exercises and about one third had three or more meals outside home. Only small p < /span>roportion of the study sample was on diet obtained from the internet. Also, the majority of the study sample was aware about how to overcome obesity. Conclusion: although the majority of the study sample were able to identify the comorbidities of obesity, yet around 40 % of them either overweight or obese. Also, the majority of them were able to identify how to overcome overweight and obesity. Accordingly: mass Media Sector is required to broad cast well designed messages related to healthy life style in general and how to overcome overweight and obesity in particular that target not only adolescents but also all segments of the community. Health Service Planners must develop and utilize p < /span>roper tools for adolescents' obesity management