Abstract

Introduction: This study assessed the prevalence of obesity among able-bodied children and adolescents compared to their peers with sensory disabilities. It also assessed whether there were differences between males and females in obesity.

Methods: 724 able-bodied male students (12.0 ± 2.5 years; 147 ± 15 cm; 42.5 ± 15.0 kg), 241 able-bodied female students (10.8 ± 2.3 years; 141 ± 15 cm; 36.3 ± 12.9 kg), 113 visually-impaired male students (11.6 ± 3.6 years; 142 ± 19 cm; 38.7 ± 16.1 kg), 101visually-impaired female students (12.9 ± 3.7 years; 145 ± 16 cm; 43.2 ± 15.1 kg), 192 hearing-impaired male students (13.2 ± 2.6 years; 152 ± 15 cm; 45.0 ± 15.0 kg) and 151 hearing-impaired female students (12.9 ± 2.8 years; 150 ± 13 cm; 46.3 ± 13.8 kg) volunteered for the study. BMI was calculated for each student.

Results: BMI values were significantly higher for hearing-impaired (19.6 ± 3.8kg.m²) students compared to their able-bodied peers (18.9 ± 3.9kg.m²). 5%, 2.9% and 6.5% of able-bodied, hearing-impaired and visually-impaired were obese, respectively. 13%, 13.7% and 12.2% of able-bodied, hearing-impaired and visually-impaired were thinness, respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity among able-bodied children and adolescents is low compared to the literature and previous studies. That may be due to the fact that these children studying at public schools. Studying at public school may give indicator that the families of these children having low and moderate income which leads to less obesity and more thinness among these children. Low incidence of obesity and higher incidence of thinness for hearing-impaired and visually-impaired children may be attributed to the fact that most of these children and adolescents studying at residential schools which means that their dietary and food intake is monitored by their schools.

 

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