Relationship between dietary intake and obesity among a group of primary school-aged children in Cairo Governorate

Context Currently, childhood obesity has been growing at an alarming rate, and it is a common nutritional problem among children in developed countries as well as in developing countries. It has become one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Aim This study attempts to determine the relationship between dietary pattern and obesity among primary school children. Patients and methods This is a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 842 children (6–12 years old), comprising 389 boys and 453 girls. This study was carried out by using anthropometric data and dietary assessment (24 h recall) and food consumption pattern. Results The finding revealed that high-density foods were significantly associated with obesity. Obese children adequately took bodybuilding food. Preventive food was adequately taken, but some of them were within the recommended dietary allowance percentage, and others were less than recommended dietary allowance percentage. Conclusion We concluded that there was a positive correlation between the increased intake of high-energy dense food (fat and sugar) and obesity in the studied group.