The Relationship Between Body Composition, Anthropometric Measures and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Children Aged 10–13 Years in Jenin and Tubas, Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Obesity is an intricate, multifaceted condition affected by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and behavioral influences. It represents a significant public health issue, leading to a range of social, physical, and psychological consequences. The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between body composition, anthropometric measurements, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among 10–13 years old children. Design and Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design, using a convenience sample of 509 students, 10–13 years old from four public schools in Palestine. Results: This study involved 509 children aged 10–13, with age groups evenly represented. Among males, 12% were overweight and 9.5% obese; among females, 11.6% were overweight and 3.7% obese. Physical inactivity was more common in females (28.9%) than males (13.5%). A weak but significant association was found between weight, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-height ratio, BMI, and both SBP and DBP (P < 0.05). Linear regression confirmed BMI as a significant predictor of SBP and DBP (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights the increasing prevalence of O&O among 10–13 years old children in public schools, with a higher incidence observed in boys compared to girls. Furthermore, BMI was found to have the strongest correlation with CVD risk compared to other anthropometric measurements.