Objectives: The pathological increase in the amount of fat in the body is the cause of many diseases. The review of literature and the still current topic suggests the need to continue research on the relationship of obesity in adults with socio-demographic factors, the place of residence, the environment and health behaviors. The aim of the study was to identify factors conducive to the occurrence or coexistence of overweight or normal body weight among Gdańsk residents having school-age children.
Material and methods: The primary research tool was a survey questionnaire to be filled in individually, concerning such issues as neighborhood, health behaviors, physical activity and the factors that affect these behaviors, and the risk of obesity. To examine the relationship between neighborhood, health behaviors and overweight, the logistic regression method was applied to determine the odds ratios (OR), showing the extent to which the probability of overweight or obesity increases/decreases.
Results: A higher level of education as well as a higher income per family member were associated with more correct values of the body mass index (BMI). A statistically significant relationship between the selected health behaviors in non-obese and overweight/obese groups was found. The significance of these was related to such variables as the duration of sleep, eating fast food products, drinking sweetened soft drinks, and eating canned and fried foods. The number of hours of sleep turned out to be significant. There was no significant relationship between the weight status and neighborhood.
Conclusions: The identification of the risk factors for overweight and obesity among parents of school-age children allows for the implementation of educational activities in this area to interdisciplinary procedures for the health of Tri-City residents. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(5):677–93