Abstract
Physical inactivity and excessive consumption of high-calorie foods and beverages are believed to be responsible for the rapid increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity in this country. Based on demographic, activity, and dietary data collected from 2054 students (aged 6–17 years), overweight students had heavier parents, lower family income, lower maternal educational levels, and were less likely to live in a family who owned their home. Students who watched television and/or played video games often had a higher risk of being overweight (odds ratio [OR] 1.74 and 1.72 respectively, p < .005) than those who rarely or never participated in these activities. Our study showed that consumption of regular soft drinks was not related to the prevalence of childhood obesity. However, students who drank diet soft drinks sometimes or often had a higher prevalence of overweight (OR 1.83, p < .01) than those who rarely or never drank diet soft drinks. These findings confirm that children who watched TV and played video games more frequently, who have overweight parents and come from families of lower socioeconomic background, are at increased risk of overweight. Our study suggested that overweight children and adolescents might be consuming more diet soft drinks in order to control caloric intake.