Monitoring the Prevalence of Obesity and Knowledge of Health Risk Associated with Obesity among Female Adolescents in Jordan

Introduction: Health has become a more central concern in development, both as a contributor to, and an indicator of, sustainable development. Overweight and obesity is major health challenge worldwide.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of over-weight and obesity and assess knowledge on the health risks associated with obesity among female adolescents in the Jordanian capital Amman.
Method: A cross-sectional survey of 782 female adolescents was conducted using random sampling technique. Height and weight were measured and body mass index for age was used to determine overweight and obesity depending on International Obesity Task Force standers. Obesity risk knowledge-10 scale was used to assess knowledge level among female adolescents.
Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents were 34.9% and 12.5% respectively. Knowledge about health risk associated with obesity among female adolescents was low. Ninety five percent of participant had low to moderate knowledge about health risk associated with obesity.
Conclusions: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Jordanian female adolescents was high. Overweight and obesity is a serious public health problem among female adolescents in Jordan. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents were 34.9% and 12.5% respectively. Knowledge about health risk associated with obesity among female adolescents was low.