Prevalence and Risk Factors of Childhood Obesity in Urban Versus Rural Populations: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
1Dr. Muhammad Hassan Tahir, 2Nazneen Tabassum, 3Kamran Safdar, 4Qasim Raza, 5Zamin Abbas, 6Haroon Raja
Submission: 13 February 2026 | Acceptance: 19 March 2026 | Publication: 04 April 2026,
1Consultant Paediatrician THQ Hospital Tandlianwala, Faisalabad
2Hope Family Clinic Faisalabad
3Associate Professor, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore
4Assistant Professor, PIMS Islamabad
5Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
6Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad
ABSTRACT
Background: Childhood obesity is an issue of increasing public health concern in all geographical locations and its prevalence differs in different locations. The role of urbanization, lifestyle changes, and socio-economic disparities cannot be overruled in increasing trends of obesity among children and there is a need to undertake region-based studies that can be used to formulate specific interventions.
Objective: To establish the prevalence and the risk factors of childhood obesity between metropolitan and non-metropolitan populations.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, and a total of 90 children aged 6 years to 14 years participated in this study. The research process took place in the span of 12 months, between October 2023 and September 2024. The subjects were selected both in urban and rural areas. Information was gathered using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and interviews of parents. BMI was computed and classified as per WHO growth standards. A statistical analysis was done to contrast the prevalence of obesity and the level of risk factors in obesity between the urban and rural population.
Results: The general prevalence rate of childhood obesity was revealed to be 28.9 percent. It was found that the prevalence was much higher in urban children (37.7%) than in rural children (20.0%) (p<0.05). The major risk factors observed in the urban group were more time spent on the screen, eating processed foods rich in calories, and less active. Conversely, lower maternal education and lack of accessibility to recreational centers were more correlated to rural obesity. The statistically significant predictors of obesity were socioeconomic status, dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyle (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The prevalence of childhood obesity was higher among the urban population than the rural population. The paper has identified the existence of different risk profiles according to geographical location, which explains the importance of having context-specific approaches. Awareness, promotion of healthy life styles and availability of physical activity opportunities, particularly in urban areas, should be the priority of public health interventions.
Keywords: Childhood obesity, urban versus rural, prevalence, risk factors, cross-sectional study, physical activity, dietary habits.