Factors Affecting Overnutrition among Secondary School Students, Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Abstract

     This cross-sectional analytical research conducted in this study aimed to investigate factors influencing the prevalence of malnutrition among junior high school students in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The sample group consisted of junior high school students from Maturatana Phuphathip School, totaling 302 individuals. A multistage random sampling method was employed to collect data using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using statistical analysis, specifically Chi-square tests for categorical data comparison. In cases where conditions were not met, Fisher's exact test was used instead.
     The research findings revealed that the majority of students had moderate knowledge (50.3%), followed by good knowledge (28.5%), and low knowledge (64%). Additionally, 92.1% of students engaged in physical activity less than 5 days per week, with each session lasting less than 30 minutes. Dietary behavior was mostly inadequate, with 95.7% at a low level. Females were 1.71 times more likely to experience malnutrition compared to males. Students aged 14-15 years were 2.6 times more likely to experience malnutrition than those aged 12-13 years. Controlling for various factors, it was found that the older age group had a significantly higher risk of malnutrition compared to the younger age group, with a relative risk of 2.76 (P-value < 0.001).