Relationship between dietary pattern and body mass index among primary school children

• Published in: Asian Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Main Author: Umairah S.N.; Yahya B.T.; Datin M.; Yusof S.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84865540837&doi=10.3923%2fajcn.2012.142.150&partnerID=40&md5=961b3f63c7c3792aff3bc099e093060f

Currently, childhood obesity has been growing at an alarming rate and it is a common nutritional problem among children in developed countries as well as in developing countries. It has become one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. This study attempts to determine the relationship between dietary pattern and Body Mass Index among primary school children. This is a cross-sectional study involving 204 students aged seven to ten years old from Sekolah Kebangsaan Abdul Samat, Kapar, Selangor. Anthropometric data including height and weight were obtained. Data was obtained by interview using of questionnaire. The prevalence of children being overweight (28.9%) and obesity (12.7%) was high. The finding revealed that types of diet were significantly associated with body mass index. Breakfast consumption and number of meals per day did not show any association with the children's BMI. In conclusion, body mass index of school children in this study showed to have association with types of diet intakes but showed no association with number of meals per day and breakfast consumption.