*3.4. Factors Associated with Overweigh, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity*

Amongst 6–11-year-old children, results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that, as compared to subjects living in the capital Beirut, those residing in other governorates had significantly lower odds of being overweight (OR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.1–0.98), obese (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06–0.71), and of having elevated WC (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04–0.56) (Table 4). Higher maternal education was associated with significantly higher odds of overweight (OR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.13–5.31), while higher paternal education was associated with lower odds of obesity in this age group (OR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11–0.91). Maternal employment was shown to be associated with significantly higher odds of obesity (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.18–5.70) and elevated WHtR (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.19–4.33). In contrast, daily breakfast consumption was associated with significantly lower odds of overweight (OR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.05–0.84) and obesity (OR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01–0.30); higher intakes of milk & dairies were associated with lower odds of elevated WC (OR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13–0.91), and higher intakes of added fats/oils were associated with lower odds of obesity (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.73), elevated WHtR (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20–0.88), and elevated WC (OR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.12–0.88). High consumption of fast food was associated with a threefold increase in the risk of overweight in this age group (OR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.21–8.69) (Table 4).

**Table 4.** Associations of socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary factors with overweight, obesity, elevated waist to height ratio (WHtR), and elevated waist circumference (WC) in Lebanese 6–11-year-old children (*n* = 868).


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**Table 4.** *Cont.*


1 Overweight and obesity defined based on sex and age specific +1 and +2 BMI *z*-scores, respectively [22]; <sup>2</sup> Low, medium and high education levels refer to primary or less, intermediate or high school and above, respectively; <sup>3</sup> The three categories of physical activity (Low, Moderate, High) refer to the frequency of physical activity outside the school setting (Never, 1–2 times/week; >2 times/week); 4 Food groups' intake based on percent contribution to daily energy intake. Low, medium, and high refer to first, second, and third tertiles, respectively.

Amongst 12–19-year-old adolescents, male gender was associated with significantly higher odds of obesity (OR = 5.18; 95% CI: 1.76–15.28) and elevated WHtR (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.12–2.97) (Table 5). Similar to findings amongst 6–11-year-old children, significantly lower odds of overweight were observed amongst adolescents residing in other governorates as compared to those living in the capital Beirut (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19–0.83). Parental obesity was associated with approximately a 3-fold increase in the odds of overweight (OR = 3.01; 95% CI: 1.61–5.63), obesity (OR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.09–7.86), and elevated WHtR (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.55–5.30). A borderline significant association between high physical activity and lower odds of overweight (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.33–1.05) and central fatness as assessed by WHtR (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.26–1.09) was also observed. Sedentary time was significantly positively associated with all adiposity indicators amongst 12–19-year-old adolescents with higher odds of overweight (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03–1.21), obesity (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.06–1.35), elevated WHtR (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13–1.43), and elevated WC (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.22) being observed. Higher intakes of milk and dairies were associated with significantly lower odds of overweight (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32–0.98) in this age group. In contrast, higher intakes of sugar sweetened beverages were associated with significantly higher odds of overweight (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.5–4.12) and elevated WHtR (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.02–3.07). A borderline significant association was found between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and lower odds of elevated WC (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.21–1.00) (Table 5).


**Table 5.** Associations of socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary factors with overweight, obesity, elevated WHtR and elevated WC in Lebanese 12–19-year-old adolescents.

**Table 5.** *Cont.*



**Table 5.** *Cont.*

1 Overweight and obesity defined based on sex and age specific +1 and +2 BMI *z*-scores, respectively [22]; 2

 Low, medium and high education levels refer to primary or less, intermediate or high school and above, respectively; 3 The three categories of physical activity (Low, Moderate, High) refer to the frequency of physical activity outside the school setting (Never, 1–2 times/week; >2 times/week); <sup>4</sup> Food groups' intake based on percent contribution to daily energy intake. Low, medium and high refer to first, second, and third tertiles, respectively.
