Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en adolescentes de bachillerato de la Unidad Educativa Solano del cantón Déleg

Abstract

Excess weight and obesity constitute a significant public health challenge in developed and developing countries. These issues increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in adulthood, highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection, and timely treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among high school students at the San Sebastián de Solano Educational Unit, this was carried out using the methodology which consists of applying Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design during the 2022-2023 academic year, BMI was calculated to categorize 60 participating students aged 15 to 17 who agreed to participate through the informed consents given to their representatives . Variables such as age, gender, weight, height, and body fat percentage were recorded. The primary results revealed that most students were overweight (36.7%) and obesity (13.3%). Body fat percentage was higher among females than males in the overweight and obese categories, These data could be collected by applying the IPAQ. In conclusion, both genders showed levels of overweight, obesity, and high body fat values, representing long-term risk factors. Early identification of these levels can be crucial for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: obesity, prevalence, overweight, Body Mass Index