TY - JOUR ID - TI - THE VALUE OF WAIST TO HIP CIRCUMFERENCE IN THE ASSESSMENT OF OBESITY IN CHILDREN BELOW 5 YEARS AU - Riyadh S. Erhaim AU - Ahmed H. Al-Anee AU - Modar A. Oqab PY - 2019 VL - 25 IS - 1 SP - 184 EP - 196 JO - The Medical Journal of Tikrit University المجلة الطبية لجامعة تكريت SN - 18131638 AB - ABSTRACT: Background Obese and obesity are terms commonly used in the clinic as well as street corner, often with a wide range of meaning. "Overweight" technically refers to an excess of body weight, whereas "obesity" refers to an excess of fat. The aim of study to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children below five years old and identify some of their possible risk factors. Patients & Methods: The current study represents an observational, cross-section study using a multistage-stratified random sampling technique, which included three hundred children (girls and boys) who aged below 5 years, selected randomly in Primary Health Center and kindergarteners in Tikrit city. The study was conducted from the first of February 2016 to the first of October 2016. Body mass index and weight for age were measured and compared to standard tables using international cut-off points. The presence of obesity is assessed by measuring the circumference of the waist (WC) and comparing it to that of the hip (HC). The relation between the two measurements is referred to as the waist-to-hip ratio (W/H). The Results: Information on possible risk factors were collected by a prepared of questionnaire. The total number of cases was 300 child who aged below 5 years. The prevalence of obesity is 13% (39 cases). There was a significant association between obesity and age, residency (urban-rural), family history, social level and certain dietary practices. Modern dietary habits are an important influence in the development of childhood obesity that should be watched carefully and controlled

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