بررسی نمایه توده بدنی دانش آموزان 5 قوم ایرانی و ارتباط آن با برخی متغیرهای فردی و خانوادگی

Background and purpose: Nowadays, increasing body mass index (BMI) in adolescents that is caused by different factors is a major health threat in communities. This study aimed to determine the BMI of students and associated factors in 5 Iranian ethnic groups. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in high school students aged 12-14 years, from 5 ethnic groups, including Arab, Kurd, Sistani/Baluchi, Turk, and Turkaman. They were selected through random stratified sampling in winter 2015. Data was collected via a questionnaire containing open and closed questions in three sections: demographic, contextual, and dependent variables. The students were classified into four categories: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese according to their BMI. Data analysis was then conducted in SPSS18. Results: A total of 2444 students was studied of whom 51.9% were females and 56.9% lived in urban areas. The mean BMI of students was 19.7&plusmn;3.9 kg/m2 and 24.2% were overweight and obese. The highest and lowest rates of overweight and obesity were found in Arabs and Sistani/Baluchi, respectively. In this study, the relationships between BMI and 25 variables were investigated. We observed significant relationships between BMI and ethnicity, having a family car, maternal diabetes, number of children, type of birth, physiological maturity and how to travel between home and school (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, the BMI in almost a quarter of the students was higher than the normal range. Some personal and family factors could increase students&rsquo; BMI. Therefore, interventions to screen and control the BMI in students are needed. &nbsp;