PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN ADOLESCENTS IN BIRJAND

Introduction: this population-based study was conducted to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in high schools in the city of birjand in khorasan province, eastern iran.methods: in this descriptive study, we attempted to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in iranian adolescents attending high school in birjand in 2005. a sample of 2230 high school students (1115 boys and 1115 girls) aged 15-18 years was selected via stepwise random sampling in four districts of birjand. overweight and obesity were defined based on the 85th and 95th percentiles of bmi for age, respectively, as proposed by the center for disease control (cdc) in 2000.results: the overall prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 6.1% and 2.3%, respectively. the prevalence of overweight was 5% in boys and 7.1% in high school girls.the prevalence of obesity was 2.8% and 1.8% in high school boys and girls, respectively.conclusions: the prevalence of overweight and obesity in high schools in the city of birjand is lower than figures reported by other studies conducted in iran and in other countries.