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Background and purpose: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and teenagers is a serious health concern which could result in physical, mental and social disorders in next years. Several factors contribute to overweight and obesity. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting overweight and obesity among high school students in Amol (north of Iran) in 2013. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 381 high school students in Amol were randomly selected. Data was collected in a questionnaire containing open and closed questions including three sections: demographic variables, contextual variables and dependent variables. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were also confirmed. The obtained BMI (Body Mass Index) was divided into four categories: underweight, normal, overweight and obese. Data was then analyzed in SPSS. Results: In this study the BMI of the students showed that 76 (20.1%) were underweight, 215 (56.7%) were normal, 63 (16.6%) were overweight, and 25 students (6.6%) were obese. There was a significant relationship between high BMI and the time spent using computer (P= 0.041). No significant relationship was found between high BMI and sex, parent’s educational background, place of residence, type of school (private or state), consumption of fast food, having exercise, going for walk, and time spent watching television (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that almost a quarter of the students with high BMI were not influenced by any social or behavioral factors. However, further intervention programs should be designed for all student groups to reach more accurate conclusions.

Keywords: BMI, students, teenagers, overweight, obesity

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