OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to implement the 2007 WHO pediatric BMI reference and the Saudi growth charts to assess the prevalence of obesity among school-age children across genders, age groups, and regions.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a national sample including 1, 133, 430 Saudi children in the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades. Demographic data for age, gender, school-grade, regions, and type of cities were collected. Anthropometric data for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were collected.

RESULTS: 10.4% of students were overweight, 10.7 % were obese, and 4.50% were severely obese. A higher prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity was among male students (10.1%, 12.4%, & 5.3%) than their female counterparts (10%, 9.1%, & 3.60%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was the highest among intermediate school students (12.40% and 13.40%), while severe obesity was the highest among secondary school students (9.70%). A higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was found in the Central (12.80% and 14.50%), and the Eastern region (12.30 and 14.40%), and the lowest was in the Southern region (7.20% and 7.20%). The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was in administrative capitals (11.9 % and 13.20%), and the lowest was in governorates B (8.50% and 8.60%) and group differences were all statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalence of overweight in Saudi school-age children was declining, the prevalence of obesity was increasing and discriminately affecting male teens. Efforts to reduce the burden of overweight and obesity should utilize cost-effective preventative weight management approaches.