The Prevalence of Overweight and Obese School-Going Adolescents in Ulaanbaatar and Its Lack of Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Objectives: The high prevalence of overweight and obese adolescents has severe consequences for economic and social development in Mongolia. This study aims to describe the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among adolescents. Methods: Using the published results of the 2013 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), we determined the prevalence of overweight and obese youth as well as some aspects of their physical activity, alcohol consumption, tobacco usage, and dietary behavior. A total of 5393 students from grade 7-12 students who were normal weight, overweight or obese were studied. Results: Approximately 15% of adolescents were overweight or obese with significant differences in BMI when comparing students in grades 7 to 9 to students in grades 10 to 12 (p= .004). More of the students from grades 7 - 9 were overweight than obese (13.3% vs. 10.7%), while more in grades 10 - 12 were obese (2.1% vs. 1.1%). None of the risk factors available in the GSHS data set were related to being overweight or obese. Conclusion: Using the potential risk factors available in the GSHS data set, none were associated with being overweight or obese. There is a need for better understanding of the social, economic, and physical determinants of the high prevalence of overweight and obese adolescents in Mongolia.