Unhealthy Weight Control Practice and Related Factors among Female High School Adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ajeme, Tigest (2017) Unhealthy Weight Control Practice and Related Factors among Female High School Adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Background: Weight control strategies are increasing in both developed and developing countries. Female adolescents tend to engage in various unhealthy weight control practices. These practices are considered to have association with psychological factors such as body weight misperception and socio-cultural factors like peer influences. However little is known about such practices among female high school adolescents in Addis Ababa. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of unhealthy weight control practice and related factors among female high school adolescents in Addis Ababa. Methods: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among 721 female high school adolescents who were randomly selected from both private and government schools. A stratified multi-stage sampling procedure was followed. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used. Anthropometric measurement was taken to calculate Body Mass Index-for-age. Depression was measured using patient health questionnaire-9 depression measurement scale. Body part satisfaction scale was translated in to the local Amharic language and tested for face validity. Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach‟s alpha. EPI data version 3.1 and STATA version14 were used to enter, clean and analyze data. Result: - We have found that 378 (57.1%) of female high school adolescents were engaged in unhealthy weight control practice. Perceived over weight [AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.17-27.90], being overweight [AOR=5.22, 95% CI: 1.42-19.23], peer influence [AOR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.05-3.28] and middle torso dissatisfaction [AOR= 1.4, 95% CI: 1.05-1.89] were found to have significant association with unhealthy weight control practice. Conclusion: - The study showed that unhealthy weight control practice is prevalent among female high school adolescents in Addis Ababa. Peer influence, dissatisfaction of the middle torso (the abdomen and waist area), overweight perception and being overweight were found to have association with unhealthy weight control practice. Therefore preventive intervention designs that address body image misperception, body part dissatisfaction, overweight/obesity and peer influence problems should be warranted in light of the high prevalence of unhealthy weight control practice.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
R Medicine > RT Nursing
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Emmanuel Ndorimana
Date Deposited: 02 Aug 2018 08:53
Last Modified: 02 Aug 2018 08:53
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8274

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