Prevalence of and risk factors for overweight and obesity among adolescents in Morocco

Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents is a major public health concern and their prevalence is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate in both developing and developed countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of 12-18-year-old schooled adolescents in Fez, Morocco, and to investigate the possible risk factors associated with adolescent obesity. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2014 and March 2015 in public secondary schools. Data were collected from a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Weight was classified according to the reference curves of WHO (2007). Data on 1818 adolescents aged 12-18 years were used. The prevalence of overweight was 7.69% and that of obesity was 3.41%. Overweight and obesity in adolescents were positively correlated to having a father (odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, P = 0.008) or a mother with higher education (OR = 1.56, P = 0.009). High family income (OR = 2.115, P = 0.028), motorized transport to school (adjusted OR = 1.77, P = 0.017), using a computer for > 4 h/day (OR: 2.56, P = 0.004) and frequent consumption of soda and soft drinks (OR = 1.42, P = 0.04) were also correlated with an increased risk for overweight and obesity. This study provides useful findings that could be elaborated on and expanded in studies on overweight and obesity among adolescents in Morocco.