Prevalence of Obesity among Early Adolescent at Secondary School in AL-Nasiriyah City

Background Obesity has been rising sharply worldwide in recent years. This epidemic problem not only occurs among adults, but also becomes more serious in children and adolescents. Objective (s) The purposes of the study to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12?14 years in secondary schools in AL-Nasiriyah city, Iraq. Methodology A descriptive (Cross sectional) study was conducted on students' at Secondary Schools in AL-Nasiriyah City between the periods of 16 October 2016 to 20 April 2017. In a cluster random sample from 12 secondary school the number of student's early adolescent in these 12 schools was 1500 students aged 12?14 years, 746 males and 754 females. The data were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistic frequency, percentage, and the application of inferential statistical procedures, which include correlation coefficient. Results The results of the study indicated the prevalence in obesity and overweight in early adolescence in 12 schools in the Nasiriyah city was (13.4%) among the students, and we found that the proportion of obesity in girls 57% slightly more in boys 43%, and the most prevalent category where the proportion of obesity is at the age of 14 years 45.7% and we found that the rate of obesity in grades high in the first grade average 55.5%. Conclusion The results of the study indicated that there is a high significant relationship between obese students and their general information which include (gender and age), while there is no significant relationship between obese students and class. Recommendations Increase community awareness about the risks of epidemic of obesity among school children age.