Articles Vol. 66 No. CĐ9-NCKH 22/08/2025

27. PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TIEN GIANG PROVINCE

Phung Nguyen The Nguyen1,2, Ta Van Tram3,4, Nguyen Thanh Nam3,4
1 University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city
2 Đại học Y Dược thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
3 Tien Giang provincial General Hospital
4 Bệnh viện Đa khoa tỉnh Tiền Giang
Corresponding author: ntnam@tvu.edu.vn
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v66iCD9.2695
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Keywords
Overweight obesity lower secondary school students waist-to-hip ratio cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among lower secondary school students in Tien Giang province in 2024, providing scientific evidence to support school-based obesity prevention efforts.

Method: A cross-sectional design was applied to a sample of 6009 students. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences), blood pressure, and demographic data were collected. Nutritional status was classified according to World Health Organization criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with overweight and obesity.

Results: The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and undernutrition was 19.3%, 14.9%, and 4.8%, respectively. Overweight and obesity were more common in male students (41.9%) than in females (29.6%), and in the 11-12 age group (41.4%) compared to the 13-14 age group (29.8%). The waist-to-hip ratio was the strongest risk factor (OR = 4.22; 95%CI: 3.86-4.61). The predictive model yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.813, indicating good discriminative ability. These findings emphasize the importance of early prevention and the need to integrate nutrition interventions into both school and family settings to reduce future cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in secondary school students in Tien Giang province is 34.2%. School nutrition education programs, increased physical activity, and regular monitoring of metabolic risk indicators are needed to address the public health burden of overweight and obesity in school-age children.

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