Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Child obesity is global problem. Currently 10% children globallyand 17% children in USA are overweight or obese.Factors such asfast food, computer dependence, too much television and overwork leads to less time for exercise. In Saudi Arabia lack of adequate playgrounds and gyms also contribute to growing obesity problem in adult Saudi population. Materials and Methods: School children were asked to taste control paper (no PTC) paper strip followed by PTC strip. Subjects were asked to describe bitterness of PTC paper as no taste, low taste or very bitter taste followed by few questions regarding their family history. Their BMI was also measured according to international standards. Summary of Results: Based on BMI calculations we found 13.9% underweight, 54% normal and 32.8% to be overweight or obese. On further analysis we found 40.6% non-tasters, 31.6% low tasters and 27.8% were supertasters. Among nontasters we found 47% obese or overweight, among low tasters the number was 28% and the lowest number of obese and or overweight girls (18.1%) was found among supertasters. As we predicted majority of obese or overweight girls were nontasters and least overweight or obese girls were found in supertasters group. Conclusions and Recommendations: 33% girls were found to be overweight or obese. Percentage of overweight and obese Saudi female children was more thanthreefold higher than global children obesity rate and double thanUSA child obesity rate. We found most obese or overweight girls to be non tasters. PTC test may allow us to predict which children are more likely to be obese in future.

Biography

Email: aashjanalmhanaa@gmail.com