Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Increase in obesity prevalence in recent years are associated to genetics as well environmental and behavioral factors. Change in dietary patterns including fatty and high density energy foods consumption have been reported to be very important. This study aimed to determine dietary factors (daily energy and macronutrient intakes, energy percentage of macronutrient, energy and macronutrient intakes per kilogram body weight, frequency of cola, natural fruit juice drinking, dairy products except cheese, tomato chips, puff, chocolate and fast food consumption and eating speed) associated to obesity in Ahwaz primary school pupils.

Materials and Methods: Using two stage cluster sampling from 35 Ahwaz primary schools, all 10-11y students who had a BMI 95th percentile of Hosseini et al. (1999) reference, were identified as obese (n=150) and 150 same age and gender pupils (having BMI<85 percentile) were studied. Data on daily energy and macronutrient intakes were collected using 24 hour recall. Frequency of cola, natural fruite juice, dairy products except cheese, tomato chips, puff, chocolate and fast food consumption were obtained by food frequency questionnaire. Eating speed was asked from the pupil mother.

Results: Results indicated that daily energy, protein and carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in obese students (p<0.05), but daily fat intake and energy percentage of macronutrient had no significant difference between two groups (p>0.05). macronutrient intakes per kilogram body weight were significantly lower in obese group (p<0.001). obese students had significantly higher potato chips and puff consumption (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between other foods consumption (p>0.05). Obese students used to eat faster (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, high intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, tomato chips and puff and high eating speed were associated to obesity in Ahwaz primary school pupils.