It is thus imperative to understand the magnitude and determinants of childhood selleck chemical Erlotinib obesity in order to develop effective preventive strategies. The present study assessed the prevalence and determinants of childhood obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam. Methods Study design, site and population This cross-sectional study was conducted among primary school children aged 6�C17 years from nine primary schools in three districts of Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke in Dar es Salaam region. A sampling frame of all public and private schools Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries in Dar es Salaam region was obtained from the district education authorities. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select schools to be involved in the study. Selection was made to ensure equal representation primary schools from both urban and rural settings of Dar es Salaam.

Within each selected school one class (from class 1�C7) was randomly Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries selected and all children from the selected class were invited to participate into the study. Consent forms containing detailed information about the study were given Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries to children to take to their parents. Signed consent forms were returned by the children on the scheduled day for data collection. Study questionnaires with both closed and open-ended questions were used to gather the required information from the participants. Anthropometric measurements Anthropometric measurements were conducted by trained research assistants early in the morning before classes began. Measurements were conducted in a dedicated room at each school with children wearing light clothes and with no shoes.

Body weight was measured using a self-calibrating precision digital scale (Omron, Japan). Height was measured to the nearest 0.1cm by a fixed Shorr measuring board (Shorr Productions, Olner, MD). BMI was then calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). All measurements were taken while observing Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries standard precautions [24]. Child obesity was defined based on BMI percentiles for age and sex. Children with BMI at or above 95th percentile for age and sex were considered obese [25]. Blood pressure measurements Blood pressure was measured Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries using a standardized digital blood pressure measuring machine (Omron Digital HEM-907, Tokyo, Japan). Blood pressure readings were taken after the child had rested for at least 5�C10 minutes.

Blood pressure was measured on the left upper arm with the child in a seated position. Three Anacetrapib readings were taken for each participant, and an average of the three readings was used during analysis. Sociodemographic information A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information from the participating children. Important sociodemographic information was obtained from parents/guardian during the interview.