DIFFERENCES IN BODY MASS INDEX DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Ibrahim Melhem*, Ahmad Chreitah and Maha Khoury

ABSTRACT

Background: Malnutrition, including underweight, overweight, and obesity, poses significant health challenges for children, particularly in crisis-affected regions like Syria, where 60% face food insecurity. This study aimed to compare the Body Mass Index (BMI) distribution among primary school students in public and private schools in Latakia Governorate and link these findings to family socioeconomic status. Objective: To compare BMI levels across three groups: private schools, public schools in the city center, and public schools on the outskirts, while analyzing differences by gender and class grade. Methods: A comparative observational study was conducted involving 818 children aged 6.1 to 10.5 years from six schools using stratified cluster sampling. Weight, height, and BMI were measured according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Data were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: The sample included 818 children, with females at 414 (50.6%) and males at 404 (49.4%). The average age was 8.22 ± 1.1 years. Participants were distributed as follows: 30% in private schools, 39.1% in public schools in the city center, and 30.9% in the outskirts. BMI classifications revealed 12% underweight, 69.9% normal weight, 10% overweight, and 8.1% obese. No significant differences were found between genders (P=0.8) or class grades (P=0.7) regarding BMI distribution. Conclusion: A correlation exists between socioeconomic status and children's nutritional health in schools. Public health interventions should consider regional economic characteristics, along with systematic growth chart follow-up and periodic BMI assessments for all students, particularly those with unsuitable BMI.

Keywords: Body Mass Index (BMI), Primary Schools, Malnutrition, Socioeconomic Status, Private Schools, Public Schools.