Abstract

Background: Excessive fat accumulation that endangers one's health is what is meant by obesity and overweight. If a child's BMI falls within the 85th percentile or below the 95th percentile, they are considered overweight; if it falls within the 95th percentile or above, they are considered obese.
Aim: sought to determine the prevalence of childhood obesity and risk factors related to it in a population aged six to sixteen.
Participants and methods: In this comprehensive study, 50 samples of 6-16 - years of children were selected in public schools in the city of Nasiriya. The current search began from (4 April 2024) to (18 July 2024). 
Results: The vast majority of the sample consists of children, especially those between the ages of 12 and 16. With regard to gender, the majority of children in the sample were female. At the place of residence, the population sample contains the highest proportion of the urban population. Out of all the siblings in the family, the majority belong to the group of two to four family members. The BMI level was significantly correlated with the number of siblings in the family (p < 0.003), the mother's educational level (P 0.004), and the father's educational level (P 0.005). Additionally, the correlation between the BMI level and the children's sociodemographic characteristics and other factors that may influence obesity was also evaluated.
Conclusion: The risk factors for obesity are outlined number of main meals per day indicated a substantial association with obesity. physical exercise revealed an important relationship between physical activity and obesity. connection between the amount of time spent sleeping and obesity. 
Recommendations: In addition, parents have a responsibility to provide wholesome foods in the home and to promote physical activity by limiting their kids' recreational computer, video game, and television time to less than two hours per day.