Objective: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity in an adolescent population in Tehran and to determine possible association with energy and nutrient intake and distribution of energy over the day.
Method: A cross-sectional study on 177 boys and 244 girls between 10-19 years old was performed. Overweight and obesity were defined by using recommended body mass index (BMI) cut-off values for adolescents. Total energy intake, percent of energy derived from protein, carbohydrate and fat and percent of energy supplied by each meal and snack were assessed by means of two 24-hour dietary recalls.
Results: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 10.7 and 5.1 in boys and 18.4 and 2.8 in girls, respectively. The composition of diet was not different between overweight/obese and normal weight subjects. BMI was related with breakfast energy percentage in girls (r = -0.18, p < 0.01), with total energy intake in boys (r = 0.23, p < 0.01), and with lunch energy percentage in both sexes. In boys (r = 0.16, p < 0.05) and in girls (r = 0.22, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: High prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents was seen. In boys some relationship between total energy intake, distribution of energy over the day and BMI was seen. In girls BMI was only related with distribution of energy over the day.