Risk Factors of Overweight and Obesity Among School Children Aged 6 to 18 Years: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Aim

Obesity is currently one of the main health problems and represents a challenge for health education programs. Experts point out that obesity is becoming a global epidemic as the number of children suffering from obesity has increased at alarming rates in developing and developed countries. The main objective of this scoping review was identifying the risk factors for overweight and obesity in school children aged 6 to 18 years.

Methods

Included articles were published between January 1993 and June 2022, written in English, and focused on school children aged 6 to 18 years. The search was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases. In total, 153 articles were included in the final qualitative analysis of the study findings.

Results

The findings of this scoping review showed that the risk factors for overweight and obesity are mainly categorized into socioeconomic and household factors, environmental factors, behavioral factors, and biological factors. In addition, the interaction between these factors was found to be a significant risk factor for overweight and obesity among school children aged 6 to 18 years.

Conclusion

The study underscores the need for targeted, school-based interventions to address the risk factors contributing to overweight and obesity among school children aged 6 to 18 years. These interventions should include curriculum-embedded education about healthy eating and physical activity, fostering an environment that promotes healthy food choices and regular exercise, and incorporating behavioral modification strategies.

Keywords:

• overweight
• obesity
• risk factors
• school children
• scoping review

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.