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Iranian Journal of Pediatrics logoLink to Iranian Journal of Pediatrics
. 2016 May 10;26(3):e2599. doi: 10.5812/ijp.2599

A Systematic Review on the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity, in Iranian Children and Adolescents

Shirin Djalalinia 1,2, Roya Kelishadi 3, Mostafa Qorbani 4, Niloofar Peykari 1,2, Amir Kasaeian 1,5, Ensieh Nasli-Esfahani 6, Shohreh Naderimagham 1, Bagher Larijani 7, Farshad Farzadfar 1,7,*
PMCID: PMC4987964  PMID: 27617064

Abstract

Context

Obesity has now become a common health problem worldwide. To gain insight into the epidemiology of the problem in Iran, we systematically reviewed all available studies on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Iranian pediatric population.

Evidence Acquisition

We systematically searched PubMed, ISI, SCOPUS, as well as Iranmedex, Irandoc, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases.All studies on mean and standard deviation or percentile categories of BMI, WC, WHR, or WHtR or prevalence of obesity/overweight in Iranian child and adolescence, were performed from January 1990 to the end of December 2013. Refining processes were conducted by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment and data extraction followed based on validated form. As, these data were heterogeneous, meta-analysis was not performed.

Results

From 3253 records, through three refining steps, 129 articles were found related to our study. In Iran, national studies are limited and nearly there is no comprehensive study for sub-national trends. Different age and sex groups had large variations in the prevalence of obesity and overweight (from 1% up to 16.1% and from 4.4% up to 42.3% respectively for obesity and overweight).

Conclusions

Related data are very scattered or limited to some specific subgroups in some living areas. For comparing, aggregating, and imputing the information we need more modern practical statistical methods.

Keywords: Obesity, Overweight, Pediatrics, Systematic Review

1. Context

The global burden of disease (GBD) studies in 1990, 2000, and 2013 showed that metabolic risk factors (MRFs) are the most important determinants of emerging non-communicable diseases all over the world (1-8). Obesity has now become a common health problem and its prevalence continues to increase in both developed and developing countries (9-11). The increasing incidence of childhood obesity and its attributed socioeconomic and public health burden is a real threat for developing countries (12). Recent studies reveal the increasing rates of overweight and obesity and their attributed ranges of adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents (13, 14). Most obese children and adolescents already are at high risk for metabolic complications, and for a wide range of morbidities (15, 16). Moreover, there are some evidence on long-term premature mortality and physical morbidity in their adulthood (16, 17).

Despite priority of the problem, there is an evident gap in the related literature on these topics (11, 18). Even though there are a few studies on trend and point estimations of BMI trend and prevalence of obesity in Iranian pediatric population, there are little information about their exposure distribution at sub-national level and no information about their trends and their effects on the health (7, 12, 19). Most of available reports are scattered or limited to specific sub groups of population (9, 12).

Remarkably, the reported basal information on prevalence of overweight and obesity varies considerably from one study to another. They are recruited based on different measures from different target groups of different scopes with quite different age and sex distributions (9, 18), so that there is a growing need to prepare primary data to bridge health research to policy recommendations (18, 20). To address this issue, we need to provide comprehensive scientific evidence for triggering policy actions, controlling the programs, and measuring the effect of interventions (21).

Considering these, the main objective of our study was to systematically review of all available studies on the means and standard deviations of anthropometric measures including body mass index (BMI); waist circumference (WC); waist-hip ratio (WHR); and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), or reported prevalence of obesity or overweight by sex, age, and year at national and sub-national levels from 1990 to 2013 in Iranian children and adolescents.

2. Evidence Acquisition

The design and protocol of the study have been described in more detail earlier (22, 23). Here we refer to some essential points in brief.

2.1. Outcomes Definition

The world health organization (WHO), U.S. centers for disease control and prevention, and international obesity task force each have presented different definitions of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents (24-27) (Table 1).

Table 1. Definitions of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents.

Organization Definition
World health organization WHO child growth standards (birth to age 5); obesity: body mass index (BMI) > 3 standard deviations above the WHO growth standard median; overweight: BMI > 2 standard deviations above the WHO growth standard median; underweight: BMI < 2 standard deviations below the WHO growth standard median; WHO reference 2007 (ages 5 to 19); obesity: body mass index (BMI) > 2 standard deviations above the WHO growth standard median; overweight: BMI > 1 standard deviation above the WHO growth standard median; underweight: BMI < 2 standard deviations below the WHO growth standard median.
U.S. centers for disease control and prevention In children ages 2 to 19, BMI is assessed by age- and sex-specific percentiles; obesity: BMI 95th percentile ≤; Overweight: BMI 85th < and ≤ 95th percentile; normal weight: BMI 5th < and ≤ 85th percentile; underweight: BMI < 5th percentile.
International obesity task force Provides international BMI cut points by age and sex for overweight and obesity for children age 2 to 18. The cut points correspond to an adult BMI of 25 (overweight) or 30 (obesity).

2.2. Measures Definition

We have included studies that reported mean and standard deviation or percentile categories of BMI, WC, WHR, or WHtR or prevalence of obesity or overweight by sex, age, and year at national and sub-national levels in Iran, based on anthropometric measures. For each measure, the standardized protocols, definition and cut off were considered.

2.3. Search Strategy

To assess papers on obesity and/or overweight of Iranian children and adolescents, we searched PubMed and NLM Gateway (for MEDLINE), Institute of Scientific Information (ISI), and SCOPUS as the main international electronic data sources. Moreover Iranmedex, Irandoc, and scientific information database (SID), considered to the main domestic databases that have systematic search capability and the most coverage of national indexed or even non indexed Iranian scientific journals (Table 2). All Iranian scientific journals of medical universities that are not listed in the domestic electronic databases, governmental reports, projects reports, conferences and reference lists, were reviewed by hand searching. The Endnote version 11 reference manager software was used to manage the data.

Table 2. The Search Strategy.

Search Strategy High Body Mass Index (BMI)/Waist Circumference/Waist-Hip Ratio Waist-to-Height Ratio
Search strategy in PubMed/Medline (“Body mass index” [Mesh] OR “Body Mass Index” [All Fields] OR “Overweight”[Mesh]) OR “Overweight” [All Fields] OR “Obesity” [Mesh] OR “Obesity” [All Fields] OR “Quetelet* Index” [All Fields] OR “Waist circumference “[Mesh] OR “Waist circumference” [All Fields] OR “Waist-hip ratio” [MeSH Terms] OR waist hip ratio [All Fields] OR “Waist to hip ratio” [MeSH Terms] OR waist to hip ratio [All Fields] OR waist to height ratio [All Fields]) AND (“Iran” [Mesh] OR “Iran” [All Fields]) OR Iranian [All Fields] OR I.R.Iran [All Fields] OR “I.R Iran” [All Fields] OR (“Persia” [MeSH Terms] OR “Persia” [All Fields])) AND ((“1985/01/01”[PDAT]: “2013/12/31”[PDAT]) AND “Humans”[MeSH Terms])
Search strategy in ISI Web of Science Time span = 1990 - 2013. Databases = SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH.Topic = (“Body Mass Index” OR “Overweight” OR “Obesity” OR “Quetelet* Index” OR “Waist Circumference” OR “Waist hip ratio” OR “Waist to hip ratio” OR “Waist-hip ratio” OR “Waist to height ratio”) AND (“Iran” OR Iranian OR I.R.Iran OR “persia”) OR Address= (Iran))
Search strategy in Scopus (TITLE-ABS-KEY (“Body Mass Index” OR “Overweight” OR “Obesity” OR “Quetelet* Index” OR “ Waist Circumference “ OR “Waist hip ratio “ OR “Waist to hip ratio” OR “Waist-hip ratio” OR “Waist to height ratio” OR “Waist-to- height ratio”)) AND (TITLE-ABS-KEY (Iran OR Iranian OR I.R.Iran OR Persia) OR (AFFIL (Iran)) AND PUBYEAR > 1989 AND PUBYEAR < 2013
IranMedex, SID and Irandoc “Body Mass Index”, “BMI”, “Overweight”, “Obesity”, “Quetelet* Index”, “Waist-hip ratio”, “Waist to ratio”, “Chaghi”, “Shakhesetudeh e badani”, “Ezafevazn”, “Dore kamar” , “Dore kamar be lagan”, “Dore kamar be basan”, “Dore kamar be ghad”, in combination with terms pediatr* OR child* OR adolescent OR student OR teenager OR boys OR girls koodak , atfal , nowjavan, daneshamooz, madreseh, madares, dokhtar, pesar in Persian language search.

We limited the search to national, provincial, district, community population based studies in Iranian children and adolescents (ages 6 - 18 years) and there was no restriction on language. Databases were searched from January 1990 to the end of December 2013.

2.4. National Data Source

We used the aggregated data of childhood and adolescence surveillance and prevention of adult non-communicable disease (CASPIAN) study as the main available national data source for the cardio metabolic risk factors of children and adolescents in Iran (28). Data were collected in four different surveys during 2003 to 2012 at the national and sub-national levels in Iran (20, 29-34).We assessed first, third, and fourth rounds data since second rounds of data were not available.

2.5. Study Selection and Eligibility Criteria

We excluded papers on non-population-based studies, or those with duplicate citations. The studies that focused on specific populations (such as school-based studies) were excluded. When there were multiple publications on the same population, only the largest study or the main source of data was included. We used GBD (global burden of diseases) validated quality assessment. Papers that had poor ratings were excluded and data were extracted from moderate and high quality studies. The quality assessment has been followed independently by two research experts and probable discrepancy between them resolved based on third expert opinion. Agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappa statistic. The kappa statistic for agreement on quality assessment was 0.92.

2.6. Data Extraction

The data extraction sheet contained the following items: general information of study and its citation; population detailed characteristics; methodological information of designing and conduction of study (the study region, scope of study (local study or survey), total sample size, age and sex groups, urban/rural areas, cut-off point of prevalence, reported prevalence and its 95% confidence interval), and study outcomes indicators (age specific prevalence of overweight and/or obesity; body mass index mean; waist circumference mean; waist to hip ratio mean).

3. Results

We refined data for prevalence of obesity and overweight by sex, age, province, and year (n = 22972). Based on our search strategy we found 3253 records; of these 1875 were from international data bases and the remaining 1378 were obtained from national data bases. After removing duplicates, via the refining steps, only 129 articles were found related to our study domain. Figure 1 is a flowchart for the data collection and selection process.

Figure 1. Flowchart for the Data Collection and Selection Process.

Figure 1.

Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 62 articles that met our eligibility criteria were selected. From these, the extracted results of 53 papers are reported in Tables 3 - 10 and the others are shown with related information in Tables 11 - 13.

Table 3. [Part 1]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Aazami et al. (2012) ( 35 ) Kermanshah, local study U 2010 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both NA 9.3 ± 1.5 1400 17.3 ± 3.1 17.14 - 17.46 10.9 (10.39 - 11.41) 13.4 (12.79 - 14.01)
Male NA 9.3 ± 1.5 756 17.44 ± 3.2 17.21 - 17.67 13.4 (12.57 - 14.23) 12.6 (11.81 - 13.39)
Female NA 9.3 ± 1.4 644 17.11 ± 3.1 16.87 - 17.35 8.1 (7.53 - 8.67) 14.3 (13.35 - 15.25)
Abdollahi et al. (2010) ( 36 ) Golestan, provencial study U 2005 WHO WHO
Male 17 - 70 45.9 ± 14.76 2500 26.48 ± 4.44 26.31 - 26.65 20.3 (19.67 - 20.93) 42.3 (41.334 - 43.26)
Female 43.4 ± 13.58 2500 27.63 ± 5.54 27.41 - 27.85 30.7 (29.87 - 31.53) 35 (34.11 - 35.8)
Ahmadi et al. (2010) ( 37 ) Kerman, local study U 2009 >2SD of mean >2SD of mean
Both 7 - 11 9 ± 1.4 1566 16 ± 3 15.85 - 16.15 9.7 (9.27 - 10.13) 4.4 (4.19 - 4.61)
Male NA 770 16 ± 2.9 15.79 - 16.20 NA NA
Female NA 796 16.1 ± 3.1 15.88 - 16.32 NA NA
Akhavan-Karbasi et al. (2009) ( 38 ) Yazd, local study U 2006 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 6.9 NA 400 NA NA 3.8 (3.29 - 4.31) 4.3 (3.73 - 4.78)
Male NA 200 NA NA 5.5 (4.78 - 6.22) 5 (4.34 - 5.66)
Female NA 200 NA NA 2 (1.73 - 2.27) 3.5 (3.03 - 3.97)
Mirzazadeh et al. (2000) ( 9 ) Tehran, local study U 2002 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 10 - 19 NA 421 NA NA 3.8 (3.45 - 4.15) NA
Male 177 NA NA 5.1 - (4.39 - 5.81) NA
Female 244 NA NA 2.8 (2.46 - 3.14) NA

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 10. [Part 8]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Age Sample Size, n BMI CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Veghari et al. (2012) ( 84 ) Golestan, local study Both 2008 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 15 - 65 39.6 ± 14.3 6489: NA NA 23 (22.39 - 23.61) 31.5 (30.76 - 32.2)
Male NA 3245 25 ± 4.8 24.88 - 25.12 14.1 (13.68 - 14.52) 32.4 (31.65 - 33.15)
Female NA 3244 27.5 ± 6.1 27.29 - 27.71 31.8 (31.27 - 32.33) 30.5 (29.98 - 31.02)
Kelishadi et al. ( 85 ) CASPIAN I, national study Both 2004 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 18 12.27 ± 3.32 20,966 18.42 ± 3.87 18.42 - 3.8 3.42 (3.17 - 3.67) 10.96 (10.54 - 11.39)
Male 12.27 ± 3.3 10,793 18.26 ± 3.83 18.26 ± 3.83 3.34 (3.00 - 3.69) 9.70 (9.14 - 10.27)
Female 12.27 ± 3.34 10,173 18.60 ± 3.91 18.60 ± 3.91 3.50 (3.15 - 3.87) 12.30 (11.66 - 12.95)
Kelishadi et al. ( 30 ) CASPIAN III, national study Both 2010 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 10 - 18 14.27 ± 24 5625 19.42 ± 4.09 19.31 - 19.53 8.91 (8.17 - 9.68) 8.02 (7.32 - 8.75)
Male 14.68 ± 24 2824 19.61 ± 4.12 19.45 - 19.76 10.13 (9.03 - 11.29) 9.38 (8.33 - 10.51)
Female 14.76 ± 23 2801 19.23 ± 4.06 19.08 - 19.38 7.68 (6.71 - 8.72) 6.64 (5.74 - 7.62)
Khashayar et al. (2013) ( 86 ) CASPIAN IV, national study Both 2012 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 18 12.47 ± 3.36 13,350 18.85 ± 4.42 18.70 - 18.99 11.89 (11.22 - 12.59) 9.66 (9.13 - 10.21)
Male 12.36 ± 3.39 6777 18.73 ± 4.42 18.53 - 18.94 13.58 (12.59 - 14.63) 9.27 (8.56 - 10.05)
Female 12.58 ± 3.32 6573 18.97 ± 4.39 18.76 - 19.17 10.15 (9.27 - 11.09) 10.06 (9.30 - 10.86)

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 11. [Part 1]. The WHR, WC, and WHtR Mean and Abdominal Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents.

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age - group, y Agea Sample Size, n WHRa CI 95% WHR Mean Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity, % WCa CI 95% WC mean WHtRa CI 95% WHtR Mean
Amini et al. (2007) ( 41 ) Tehran U
2001 Both 10 - 15 12.6 ± 0.9 395 0.8 ± 0.07 0.79 - 0.81 NA NA NA NA NA
2001 Male 12.7 ± 0.9 197 0.83 ± 0.06 0.82 - 0.84 NA NA NA NA NA
2001 Female 12.5 ± 0.9 198 0.77 ± 0.06 0.76 - 0.78 NA NA NA NA NA
Azimi-Nezhad et al. (2009) ( 44 ) Khorasan- Razavi Both
2004 Both 15 - 20 NA 540 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
2004 Male NA NA 280 NA NA NA 74.63 ± 12.54 73.16 - 76.1 0.43 ± 0.07 0.42 - 0.44
2004 Female NA NA 260 NA NA NA 70.09 ± 10.6 68.80 - 71.38 0.47 ± 0.06 0.46 - 0.48
Gharakhanlou et al. (2012) ( 49 ) National study U
2011 Male 15 - 19 NA 139 0.82 ± 0.05 0.81 - 0.83 NA -74.5 ± 8.9 73.02 - 75.98 0.43 ± 0.06 0.42 - 0.43
2011 Female NA NA 145 0.78 ± 0.06 0.77 - 0.79 NA 7.2.7 ± 9.0 71.24 - 74.16 0.45 ± 0.07 0.44 - 0.46
Hosseini-Esfahani et al. (2011) ( 87 ) Tehran U
2001 Male 10 - 14 12.4 ± 1 688 NA NA NA NA 64.9 ± 117 64.08 - 65.72 NA
2001 Male 15 - 19 16.8 ± 1 734 NA NA NA NA 3.9 ± 11 73.10 - 74.70 NA
2005 Male 10 - 14 12.2 ± 1 190 NA NA NA NA 72.6 ± 13 70.75 - 74.45 NA
2005 Male 15 - 19 17.1 ± 1 346 NA NA NA NA 80.4 ± 12 79.14 - 81.66 NA
2008 Male 10 - 14 12.2 ± 1 230 NA NA NA NA 71.3 ± 13 69.62 - 72.98 NA
2008 Male 15 - 19 17.2 ± 1 287 NA NA NA NA 81.5 ± 13 79.97 - 83.03 NA
2001 Female 10 - 14 12.3 ± 1 675 NA NA NA NA 66.9 ± 9 66.22 - 67.58 NA
2001 Female 15 - 19 17.0 ± 1 913 NA NA NA NA 72.5 ± 9 71.92 - 73.08 NA
2005 Female 10 - 14 12.3 ± 1 214 NA NA NA NA 68.5 ± 10 67.16 - 69.84 NA
2005 Female 15 - 19 17.3 ± 1 357 NA NA NA NA 73.3 ± 9 72.37 - 74.23 NA
2008 Female 10 - 14 12.3 ± 1 231 NA NA NA NA 66.9 ± 10 65.61 - 68.19 NA
2008 Female 15 - 19 17.2 ± 1 351 NA NA NA NA 71.3 ± 9 70.36 - 72.24 NA

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 13. [Part 3]. The WHR, WC, and WHtR Mean and Abdominal Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents.

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age - group, y Age Sample Size, n WHR CI 95% WHR Mean Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity, % WC CI 95% WC mean WHtR CI 95% WHtR Mean
Kelishadi et al. (1997) ( 85 ) CASPIAN I, National study Both
2004 Both 6 - 18 12.27 ± 3.32 20,966 0.43 ± 0.06 0.429 - 0.431 9.27(8.87-9.67) 64.61 ± 10.91 64.46 - 64.76 0.80 ± 0.08 0.805 - 0.807
2004 Male NA 12.27 ± 3.3 10,793 0.43 ± 0.06 0.427 - 0.429 9.14(8.60-9.69) 64.99 ± 11.41 64.78 - 65.21 0.82 ± 0.09 0.817 - 0.821
2004 Female NA 12.27 ± 3.34 10,173 0.44 ± 0.06 0.431 - 0.433 9.41(8.84-9.99) 64.21 ± 10.34 64.01 - 64.41 0.79 ± 0.08 0.791 - 0.794
Kelishadi (2012) et al. ( 30 ) CASPIAN III, National study Both
2010 Both 10 - 18 14.27 ± 24 5625 0.44 ± 0.13 0.442 - 0.448 NA 68.72 ± 20.67 68.1 - 69.2 NA NA
2010 Male NA 14.68 ± 24 2824 0.44 ± 0.14 0.439 - 0.449 NA 67.59 ± 22.16 66.7 - 68.4 NA NA
2010 Female NA 14.76 ± 23 2801 0.44 ± 0.12 0.441 - 0.450 NA 69.86 ± 18.99 69.1 - 70.5 NA NA
Khashayar (2013) et al. ( 86 ) CASPIAN IV, National study Both
2012 Both 6 - 18 12.47 ± 3.36 13,350 0.45 ± 0.06 0.454 - 0.458 19.12(18.22-20.06) 67.02 ± 11.96 66.57 - 67.48 0.18 ± 0.03 0.184 - 0.187
2012 Male 12.36 ± 3.39 6777 0.46 ± 0.06 0.456 - 0.461 20.41(19.09-21.79) 67.83 ± 12.84 67.15 - 68.51 0.19 ± 0.03 0.189 - 0.192
2012 Female 12.58 ± 3.32 6573 0.45 ± 0.06 0.452 - 0.457 17.79(16.56-19.09) 66.19 ± 10.92 65.62 - 66.76 0.18 ± 0.03 0.179 - 0.183

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 4. [Part 2]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Amanolahi et al. (2012) ( 39 ) Tehran, local study U NA Female NA 10.6 ± 0.71 1040 NA NA CDC 2000 NA CDC 2000 8.65
Amidimazaheri et al. (2010) ( 40 ) Isfahan, local study NA NA Female 14 - 18 NA 384 NA NA CDC 2000 1.03 (0.93 - 1.13) CDC 2000 9.1 (8.27 - 9.93)
Amini et al. (2007) ( 41 ) Tehran, local study U 2001 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 10 - 15 12.6 ± 0.9 396 19.8 ± 3.8 19.43 - 20.17 10 (9.11 - 10.88) 16 (14.68 - 17.32)
Male 12.7 ± 0.9 199 19.7 ± 4 19.14 - 20.26 13 (11.43 - 14.57) 14 (12.33 - 15 - 67)
Female 12.5 ± 0.9 197 19.9 ± 3.7 19.38 - 20.42 6.5 (5.65 - 7.35) 19 (16.85 - 21.15)
Aminzadeh et al. (2013) ( 42 ) Ahvaz, local study U 2010 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 10 NA 1594 NA NA 17.7 (16.98 - 18.41) 18.8 (18.05 - 19.55)
Male 835 NA NA 14.65 (13.80 - 15.50) 16.7 (15.76 - 17.64)
Female 759 NA NA 21.08 (19.90 - 22.26) 21.74 (20.53 - 22.95)
Asadi Noghabi et al. (2011) ( 43 ) Bandarabbas, local study U NA CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Male 7 - 11 NA 661 NA NA 10.9 (10.16 - 11.64) 10 (9.31 - 10.69)
Female NA 689 6.2 (5.77 - 6.63) 12.8 (11.97 - 13.63)
Azimi-Nezhad et al. (2009) ( 44 ) Khorasan-Razavi, provencial study Both 2004 WHO WHO
Male 15 - 20 NA 280 20.64 ± 3.45 20.24 - 21.04 NA NA
Female NA 260 21.47 ± 3.34 21.06 - 21.88 NA NA

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 5. [Part 3]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Bazhan et al. (2005) ( 45 ) Lahijan, local study U 2001 Female 14 - 17 NA 400 21.9 ± 3.5 21.56 - 22.24 CDC 2000 5.3 (4.81 - 5.79) CDC 2000 14.8 (13.56 - 16.04)
Bidad et al. (2008) ( 46 ) Tehran, local study U 2005 Female 11 - 17 14 ± 1.8 400 20.61 ± 3.79 20.24 - 20.98 CDC 2000 6.7 (6.09 - 7.31) CDC 2000 14.6 (13.38 - 15.82)
Baygi et al. (2010) ( 47 ) Neishabour, local study U 2005 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 12 NA 1471 NA NA 4.6 (4.38 - 4.82) NA
Male NA 822 NA NA NA NA
Female NA 649 NA NA NA NA
Gargari et al. (2004) ( 48 ) Tabriz, local study U 2001 Female 14 - 17.9 16 ± 1.4 1518 21.3 ± 3.6 21.12 - 21.48 CDC 2000 NA CDC 2000 NA
Gharakhanlou et al. (2012) ( 49 ) National study U 2011 WHO WHO
Male 15 - 19 NA 139 3.1 ± 21.4 20.88 - 21.92 2.8 (2.35 - 3.25) 9.3 (7.90 - 10.70)
Female NA 145 21.9 ± 3.8 21.28 - 22.52 2.7 (2.27 - 3.13) 12.4 (10.63 - 14.17)
Haeri Behbahani et al. (2009) ( 50 ) Sabzevar, local study U 2007 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 11 NA 960 16.6 ± 2.8 16.42 - 16.78 6 (4.5 - 7.6) 8.4 (6.7 - 10.2)
NA 840 16.3 ± 2.6 16.12 - 16.48 3.5 (2.2 - 4.7) 7.4 (5.6 - 9.2)
Hajian et al. (2008) ( 51 ) Babol, local study U 2006 Both 7 - 12 NA 1000 NA CDC 2000 5.8 (5.46 - 6.14) CDC 2000 12.3 (11.63 - 12.97)
Hajian-Tilaki et al. (2011) ( 52 ) Babol, local study U 2006 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 7 - 12 9.3 ± 1.5 1000 NA NA 5.8 (5.46 - 6.14)F: 3.8 12.3 (11.63 - 12.96)M: 12.5F:
Male NA 450 16.8 ± 3.4 16.49 - 17.14 8.8 (8.06 - 9.54) (7 - 9 yo: 8.77) (10 - 12 yo: 10.43) 12.5 (11.49 - 13.51) (7 - 9 yo: 12.23) (10 - 12 yo: 11.15)
Female NA 550 16.7 ± 2.8 16.47 - 16.93 3.8 (3.46 - 4.11) (7 – 9 yo:5.02) (10 - 12 yo: 2.99) 12.2 (11.30 - 13.09) (7 - 9 yo: 9.9) (10 - 12 yo: 16.54)

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 6. [Part 4]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Hajian-Tilaki et al. (2012) ( 53 ) Babol, local study U NA CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 12 - 17 NA 1200 NA NA 8.3 (7.87 - 8.73) 15.1 (14.37 - 15.82)
Male NA NA 10.2 NA
Female NA NA 6.5 NA
Janghorbani et al. (1998) ( 54 ) Kerman, local study U 1995 Female 14 - 18 16.2 ± 1.3 1000 19.8 ± 2.9 19.62 - 19.98 WHO 5.3 (4.99 - 5.61) WHO 21.9 (20.84 - 22.96)
Karandish et al. (2004) ( 55 ) Tehran, local study U 2000 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 11 - 16 NA 2486 NA NA NA NA
Male 13.7 ± 1.54 1147 19.8 ± 3.95 19.57 - 20.03 7.3 (6.91 - 7.69) 23.3 (22.27 - 24.33)
Female 13.4 ± 1.64 1339 20.63 ± 4.11 20.41 - 20.85 8.3 (7.89 - 8.71) 18.8 (17.98 - 19.62)
Kelishadi et al. (2003) ( 56 ) Isfahan, Markazi local study Both 2001 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 11 - 18 NA 2000 U: 25.4 ± 5.2 R: 23.2 ± 7.1 U: 24.29 - 26.51R: 22.76 - 23.64 NA NA
Male NA 1000 1.87 (1.79 - 1.95) 7.4 (7.10 - 7.70)
Female NA 1000 2.9 (2.73 - 3.07) 10.7 (10.11 - 11.29)
Khadivzadeh et al. (2002) ( 57 ) Mashad, local study U 1998 Female 15 - 19 NA 440 NA NA CDC 2000 1.8 (1.63 - 1.97) CDC 2000 5.8 (5.29 - 6.31)
Maddah (2007) ( 58 ) Guilan, local study U 2005 Female 14 - 17 NA 1054 NA NA F: 5.2 (4.90 - 5.50) 18.6 (17.69 - 19.51)
Maddah et al. (2010) ( 59 ) Rasht, local study U 2007 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 11 NA 6635 NA NA NA NA
Male 3551 5 (4.89 - 5.11) 11.5 (11.26 - 11.74)
Female 3084 5.9 (5.72 - 6.08) 15 (14.58 - 15.42)
Maddah et al. (2010) ( 60 ) Zahedan, local study U NA CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 7 - 11 NA 1079 NA NA NA M: 8.9 F: 10.3
Male 500 NA NA 8.9 (8.42 - 9.38)
Female 579 NA NA NA 10.3 (9.49 - 11.11)

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 7. [Part 5]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Mehrkash et al. (2010) ( 61 ) Gorgan, local study U NA CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 15 - 18 NA 450 NA NA NA NA
Male 15.66 ± 0.68 225 21.24 ± 3.45 20.79 - 21.69 NA NA
Female 16.34 ± 0.77 225 22.41 ± 4.32 21.85 - 22.97 NA NA
Mirhosseini et al. (2009) ( 62 ) Mashhad, local study U NA Female 15 - 17 16.4 ± 0.09 622 20.7 ± 3.6 13.5 - 36.9 NA NA NA NA
Mirmiran et al. (2004) ( 63 ) Tehran, local study U
1999 Both 6 - 16 NA 732 NA NA CDC 2000 4.5 (4.19 - 4.81) CDC 2000 NA
1999 Male 339 NA 5.5 (4.95 - 6.05) NA
1999 Female 393 NA 3.7 (3.35 - 4.05) NA
2002 Both 6 - 16 NA 673 NA NA CDC 2000 5.7 (5.29 - 6.11) CDC 2000 NA
2002 Male NA 312 6.3 (5.64 - 6.96)
2002 Female NA 361 5.2 (4.69 - 5.71)
Moayeri et al. (2006) ( 64 ) Tehran, local study U 2005 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 11 - 18 NA 2880 NA NA 7.1 (6.72 - 7.48) 17.9 (17.06 - 18.74)
NA 1180 NA NA 7.8 (7.54 - 8.06) 21.1 (20.49 - 21.71)
NA 1700 NA NA 6.4 (6.12 - 6.68) 14.7 (14.10 - 15.30)
Mohammadpour-Ahranjani et al. (2003) ( 65 ) Tehran, local study U 2001 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Male 11 - 16 13.7 ± 1.54 1068 19.8 ± 3.95 19.56 - 20.04 7.3 (6.89 - 7.71) 18.8 (17.88 - 19.72)
Female 13.4 ± 1.54 1253 20.6 ± 4.11 20.37 - 20.83 8.3 (7.88 - 8.72) 23.1 (22.12 - 24.08)
Mojibian et al. (2001) ( 66 ) Yazd, local study U 2000 Female 15 - 65 NA 570 NA NA WHO 16.3 (15.18 - 17.42) CDC 2000 11.8 (10.15 - 13.45)
Montazerifar et al. (2009) (67) Sistan va Baluchistan, local study U 2006 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Female 14 - 18 16.4 ± 1.3 752 20 ± 1.45 NA 1.5 (1.39 - 1.61) F: 8.6 (8.04 - 9.16)
Zahedan, local study 2007 Female 11 - 14 13 ± 0.89 687 1.7 (1.58 - 1.82) 8.7 (8.11 - 9.29)

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 8. [Part 6]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Montazerifar et al. (1999) ( 68 ) Yazd, local study U 1998 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 7 - 11 NA 463 NA NA 3.9 (3.56 - 4.24) NA
Male NA 230 NA NA 4.3 (3.77 - 4.83) NA
Female NA 223 NA NA 3.4 (2.98 - 3.82) NA
Mostafavi et al. (2005) ( 69 ) Shiraz, local study U 2002 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 13 - 18 NA 803 NA 2.9 (2.51 - 3.29) 11.3 (9.91 - 12.69)
Male NA NA 19.4 ± 3.4 18.93 - 19.87 NA NA
Female NA NA 20.6 ± 3.8 20.07 - 21.13 NA NA
Mozaffari et al. (2007) ( 70 ) Tehran, local study U 2002 Female 7 - 12 9.67 ± 3.5 1800 NA NA CDC 2000 7.7 (7.37 - 8.03) CDC 2000 13.3 (12.77 - 13.83)
Mozaffari et al. (2004) ( 71 ) Yazd, local study U 2003 NCHS NCHS
Both 6 - 12 NA 4755 NA NA 3.5 (3.40 - 3.60) NA
Male NA 2948 NA NA 1.0 (0.96 - 1.04) NA
Female NA 1807 NA NA 7.6 (7.28 - 7.92) NA
Pourghasem et al. (2002) ( 72 ) Tabriz, local study U NA Female 14 - 18 NA 1518 NA NA CDC 2000 3.6 (3.43 - 3.77) CDC 2000 11.1 (10.60 - 11.59)
Rafraf et al. (2010) ( 73 ) Tabriz, local study U 2008 Female 14 - 17 15.67 ± 1.01 985 21.28 ± 3.5 21.06 - 21.50 CDC 2000 2. (2.63 - 2.97) CDC 2000 16.4 (15.54 - 17.26)
Rashidi et al. (2007) ( 74 ) Tehran, local study U 2001 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Male 11 - 16 13.7 ± 1.54 1068 19.8 ± 4 20.37 - 20.83 7.3 (6.89 - 7.70) 18.8 (17.88 - 19.72)
Female 13.4 ± 1.64 1253 20.6 ± 4.1 17.75 - 18.05 8.3 (:7.87 - 8.72) 23.1 (22.12 - 24.08)
Sadeqipoor et al. (1999) ( 75 ) Tehran, local study U 1996 Female 11 - 14 NA 350 NA NA CDC 2000 13.7 (12.46 - 14.94) CDC 2000 NA
Salem et al. (2009) ( 76 ) Kerman, local study U 2007 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Female 11 - 18 14.3 ± 1.7 1221 NA NA F: 2.4(2.27 - 2.53)(11 - 14 yo: 3.3)(15 - 18 yo: 1.3) F: 11.2 (10.64 - 11.76) (11 - 14 yo: 11.9)(15 - 18 yo: 10.8)

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 9. [Part 7]. The Prevalence of Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents (Based on BMI Measure).

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age-group, y Agea Sample Size, n BMIa CI 95% BMI Mean Obesity Definition Prevalence of Obesity/CI 95% Over Weight Definition Prevalence of Over Weight/CI 95%
Salem et al. (2011) ( 77 ) Kerman, local study U 2009 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Male NA NA 500 16.78 ± 3.76 16.45 - 17.11 NA 10.2 (9.40 - 11.00)
Female NA NA 775 17.25 ± 3.33 17.02 - 17.48 NA 8.9 (8.33 - 9.47)
Saffari et al. (2011) ( 78 ) Qazvin, local study U 2010 Female 6 - 14 NA 2201 17.9 ± 3.7 (6 - 9 yo: 16.10) (10 - 14 yo: 19.1(5) NA CDC 2000 NA CDC 2000 NA
Sohailifar et al. (2000) ( 79 ) Hamadan, local study U 1998 NCHS NCHS
Both 11 - 16 NA 2000 NA NA 3.5 (3.35 - 3.65) NA
Male NA 1000 NA NA 4 (3.76 - 4.24) NA
Female NA 1000 NA NA 7.2 (6.79 - 7.61) NA
Sotoodeh et al. (1997) ( 80 ) Hassanabad Khaleseh of Eslamshahr, local study R 1994 Female 15 - 19 NA 35 22.5 NA CDC 2000 NA CDC 2000 NA
Taheri et al. (2009) ( 81 ) Birjand, local study U 2005 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 15 - 18 NA 2230 NA NA 2.2 (2.11 - 2.29) 6.2 (5.96 - 6.44)
Male NA 1115 NA NA 2.8 (2.64 - 2.96) 5 (4.72 - 5.28)
Female NA 1115 NA NA 1.8 (1.70 - 1.90) 7.1 (6.71 - 7.49)
Taheri et al. (2013) ( 82 ) Birjand, local study U 2012 CDC 2000 CDC 2000
Both 6 - 11 NA 1541 NA NA 9.2 (8.78 - 9.62) 9.6 (9.17 - 10.03)
NA 690 16.9 NA 10.9 (10.18 - 11.62) 11 (10.27 - 11.73)
NA 851 16.3 NA 7.9 (7.41 - 8.39) 8.3 (7.79 - 8.81)
Veghari et al. (2010) ( 83 ) Golestan, local study Both 2006 Both 15 - 24 NA 499 22.8 22.3 - 23.4 CDC 2000 5.1 (4.67 - 5.52) CDC 2000 24.2 (22.59 - 25.81)

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Table 12. [Part 2]. The WHR, WC, and WHtR Mean and Abdominal Obesity in Population-Based Studies in Iranian Children and Adolescents.

Reference Location Urban/Rural Year of Study Gender Age - group, y Age Sample Size, n WHR CI 95% WHR Mean Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity, % WC CI 95% WC mean WHtR CI 95% WHtR Mean
Janghorbani et al. (1998) ( 54 ) Kerman U 1995 Female 14 - 18 16.2 ± 1.3 1000 0.8 ± 0.06 0.8 - 0.81 NA NA 70.8 ± 8.0 70 - 71.0 NA
Janghorbani et al. (2007) ( 88 ) National Both
2005 Male 15 - 24 23.9 ± 0.15 v NA NA 3.2 NA NA NA NA
2005 Female NA 24.9 ± 0.18 NA NA NA 18.1 - - - -
Mehrkash et al. (2010) ( 61 ) National study U
NA Both 15 - 18 15.66 ± 0.68 225 NA NA NA NA 75.24 ± 8.76 74.43-76.05 NA
NA Both NA 16.34 ± 0.77 225 NA NA NA NA 79.85 ± 10.35 78.50-81.20 NA
Mirhosseini et al. (2009) ( 62 ) Mashhad, Local study U NA Female 15 - 17 16.4 ± 0.09 622 0.7 ± 0.04 0.69 - 0.70 9.5 NA 69 ± 7.8 68.39 - 69.61 NA
Sotoodeh et al. ( 80 ) HassanabadKhaleseh of Eslamshahr, Local study R
1994 Female 15 - 19 NA 205 0.78 NA NA NA NA NA NA

Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval; F, female; M, male; NA, not available; R, rural; R, rural total; T, total; U, urban; UT, urban total; y, year.

aValues are expressed as mean (SD).

Tables 3 - 10 shows the prevalence of obesity based on BMI, in eligible population-based studies in Iranian children and adolescents. Also for more precise comparison, the confidence interval for 95% significance level (CI 95%) was calculated for possible cases. We have also included each study designed.

Considering the systematic review results; the number of total population and points of data were 22972 and 29, 38985 and 47 respectively for boys and girls. There were 5 studies that did not report BMI separately for boys and girls. As well as regarding the geographically distribution we found, 9 national, 14 provincial , and 58 district level points of data.

The findings are scattered, with very wide ranges of values for BMI and for rates of obesity and overweight. On the other hand, non-standard classifications of age groups led to greater complexity in estimation of values. For instance, information about elementary school students was provided with at least 6 different age categories including: 6 - 10, 6 - 11, 6 - 12, 6 - 14, 7 - 11, and 7 - 12. The lowest rate of obesity in this age group was 3.5% which was reported in Yazd and Sabzevar (9, 38, 50) and the highest rate of 17.7% was in Ahvaz (42). Similarly there were different reports for 10 - 15 year olds; based on one of them 13% of boys and 6.5% of girls in Tehran province were obese (41), in another study via the refining steps, only 129 articles were found related to our study domain in the same province reported 7.5% and 7.3% respectively for boys and girls (55). In 15 - 19 year old group, the prevalence of obesity was 2.8% for boys and 1.7% for girls (49, 57).

In Tables 11 - 13, the WHR, WC, and WHtR mean in population-based studies in Iranian children and adolescents reported based on papers data availability.

Tables 11 - 13 include only 9 papers with information on WHR, WC, or WHtR that met the study eligible criteria. The aggregated data CASPIAN studies are presented as the main source of national data.

Based on the first CASPIAN study in 2004, the national prevalence of abdominal obesity was 9.27 (8.87% - 9.67%) for both sexes, 9.14 (8.60% - 9.69%) for males, and 9.41 (8.84% - 9.99%) for females. In the last estimation for 2012 these were increased respectively to 19.12 (18.22% - 20.02%), 20.41 (19.09% - 23.05%), and 17.79 (16.56% - 19.02%). In similar time period, the national mean of WC from 64.61 (64.46 cm - 64.76 cm) rose to 67.02 (66.57 cm - 67.48 cm).

4. Discussion

This review of our finding, similar to some regional and global studies, provides alarming evidence-based data on the considerable prevalence of childhood and adolescents overweight (9, 12, 16, 17). In Iran national studies, especially in pediatric groups, are limited and nearly there is no comprehensive study for sub-national trends. Considering the results of CASPIAN, as the only valid national study; in 2004, the national prevalence of obesity for 6 - 18 year olds male and female was respectively 3.34 (3% - 3.69%) and 3.50 (3.15% - 3.87%). In 2010 these estimations respectively rose to 13.58 (12.59% - 14.63%), and 7.68 (6.71% -8.72%). In the last estimation for 2012 these were increased to; 13.58 (12.59% - 14.63%), and 10.15 (9.27% - 11.09%).

Different age and sex groups had large variations in the prevalence of obesity and overweight. As a considerable point; there are also a lot of missing data for different sub groups which is leading from the misclassification or other limitation of research papers’ data presentation (89, 90). Some of these diversities are attributed to the geographical scopes of studies; some estimations belong to local level studies, some others estimate district level and others are designed for national estimations. Moreover, the quality of presented data, and some methodological problems, in designing and conducting the related researches, were other sources of diversity (30, 32, 85). There are also some visible data lags in some areas of country or for different target groups that should be more considered for future studies’ plan. For all measures however the reports have significant missing in reporting the confidence intervals for both measures values’ and obesity/overweight rates, which limited our ability to compare and analyze results. On the other hand, most of our efforts to contact study authors for requesting more data and information failed.

In Iran there are few national studies and nearly no comprehensive study for sub-national trends (91-93). In comparison with other related studies, compared with the GBD studies with overall 102 points of data, we benefit from more data driven estimations rather than the model driven results. We will provide more data points that lead to higher quality of estimation (1, 4-8, 19). This is the first comprehensive systematic approach to search and data gathering, during which we benefited from the highest level of access to the published, available unpublished and grey literature through the comprehensive hand searching process. We had access to main national sources of CASPIAN study (30, 32, 85).

Considering previous studies, the present study has several achievements. This study presents the most scientific evidences for the prevalence and trends of obesity and overweight in pediatric population from 1990 to 2013. We benefited from all available sources of data alongside the advanced comprehensive search strategies. All of domestic data bases were searched exactly with all of English/Persian equivalent search terms.

Because of scarcity of data, variations in groups studied, differences in living areas (urban/rural), discrepancy of the measures, for comparing and aggregating the information, we need more modern practical statistical methods (9, 12). These methods are advanced regression models, using existing data, benefit from models for age, hierarchical pattern of data, spatial and temporal pattern of data, and covariates (94, 95).

The present study summarized the information of studies on mean and standard deviation of different measures including BMI, WC, WHR, or WHtR and reported prevalence of obesity or overweight by sex, age, and year at national and sub-national levels from 1990 to 2013 in Iranian children and adolescents.

Obesity seems to be one of the major public health problems. Considering that, several methods have been proposed in the field of medical and surgical treatments. In this context, recent promising approaches emphasize on the population based interventions impacts (96). Aiming that, we call for a sustained valid data sources to monitor, prevent, and control of pediatric overweight and obesity. These processes should be followed through ongoing community-based lifestyle intervention on diet, physical activity promotion, and other local and national experiences (31, 56, 87, 97). Evidences reveal that for more effectiveness, these interventions should be started and exactly followed from the adolescence (12, 23, 96).

Health researchers, professionals and policy-makers should focus on more evidence based policies which require more reliable data. Aiming that, all processes of designing; conducting; monitoring; and distribution of data should be managed based on advanced scientific methods (18, 98).

4. Conclusions

In conclusion, the present findings could provide practical information on children and adolescents’ overweight and obesity for better health policy and more detailed design studies in this area. Because of the importance of application of researches’ data more policy attention should be considered for more efficient papers’ data presentation. The presented results also could be used for future complementary sub-national, national or even global related studies.

Acknowledgments

The study is granted by Setad-e-Ejraie Farmane Imam and ministry of health and medical education of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Footnotes

Authors’ Contribution:Shirin Djalalinia and Mostafa Qorbani had equal contribution in designing the paper, acquisition of data and data analysis, and interpretation. Niloofar Peykari, Ensieh Nasli-Esfahani, and Shohreh Naderimagham had cooperation in drafting of the manuscript and Roya Kelishadi, Bagher Larijani, and Farshad Farzadfar supervised the project and had critical revision of the manuscript and approval of the article. All authors have given approval to the final version of manuscript.

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