Background and purpose: Nowadays, increasing body mass index (BMI) in adolescents that is caused by different factors is a major health threat in communities.This study aimed to determine the BMI of students and associated factors in 5 Iranian ethnic groups.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study Utility Boots was conducted in high school students aged 12-14 years, from 5 ethnic groups, including Arab, Kurd, Sistani/Baluchi, Turk, and Turkaman.
They were selected through random stratified sampling in winter 2015.Data was collected via a questionnaire containing open and closed questions in three sections: demographic, contextual, and dependent variables.The students were classified into four categories: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese according to their BMI.
Data analysis was then conducted in SPSS18.Results: A total of 2444 students was studied of whom 51.9% were females and 56.
9% lived in urban areas.The mean BMI of students was 19.7±3.
9 kg/m2 and 24.2% were overweight and obese.The highest and lowest rates of overweight and obesity were found in Arabs and Sistani/Baluchi, respectively.
In this study, the relationships between BMI and 25 variables Bowl Spider were investigated.We observed significant relationships between BMI and ethnicity, having a family car, maternal diabetes, number of children, type of birth, physiological maturity and how to travel between home and school (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to this study, the BMI in almost a quarter of the students was higher than the normal range.Some personal and family factors could increase students’ BMI.Therefore, interventions to screen and control the BMI in students are needed.