Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science
Vol. 8 No. 4 (2025): Volume 8 Number 4

Obesity related factors in school-aged children: A qualitative study

Santika Santika (Fakultas Pendidikan Olahraga dan Kesehatan, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)
Septian Andriyani (Fakultas Pendidikan Olahraga dan Kesehatan, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)
Asih Purwandari Wahyoe Puspita (Fakultas Pendidikan Olahraga dan Kesehatan, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Jun 2025

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity among school-aged children has become an escalating public health concern in Indonesia. It significantly affects children’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Obesity arises from a complex interplay of biological, environmental, behavioral, and parenting-related factors. Purpose: To examine the contributing factors to obesity in school-aged children. Method: A qualitative research design was employed using a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with five parents of elementary school children (grades 1–6) who had been diagnosed with obesity. Each interview was conducted in one day, with a duration of no more than 30 minutes per Respondent. The data were analyzed through coding and theme identification. Results: The analysis revealed five primary themes contributing to childhood obesity: a sedentary lifestyle, genetic influences, eating habits and parenting style, frequent consumption of snacks and sugary drinks, and irregular sleep patterns and habits. Conclusion: Obesity in school-aged children is driven by an interaction of sedentary behavior, unhealthy lifestyle habits, parenting practices, high sugar intake, genetic predisposition, and poor sleep routines. Preventive measures should adopt a holistic approach involving families, schools, and the surrounding environment to instill healthy behaviors from an early age.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

minh

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Nursing Public Health

Description

Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science is a peer-reviewed journal and provides a platform to publish areas of nursing and health science. The journal also seeks to advance the quality of research by publishing papers introducing or elaborating on new methods in nursing and ...