Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity of Adolescents

Background: Adolescent overweight and obesity are a worldwide public health problem plays an important role in their health. This study was conducted on to determine the prevalence and predictors of adolescent overweight and obesity among Iranian adolescents. Methods: this cross sectional study was conducted among 430 adolescents aged 14-19 years from urban schools of Ardabil city in 2014. Collected Data were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis with using SPSS-18, A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.  Results: A total of 99 (23.1%) were undernourished, 43 (10 %) were overweight while 30 (7.3%) were obese. Frequent fast food consumption was found to increase the odds of malnutrition (OR=1.4), while adequate daily physical activity (OR=0.7) and frequent fruit intake (OR=0.6) were inversely associated.  Conclusion: overweight and obese is highly prevalent among the adolescent and health promotion strategies  to change adolescents life style such as controlling the grow of fast food culture and promoting frequent of fruit and vegetable intake  and encouraging them to adequate daily physical activity are required.