الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present study was conducted as a case control study to assess the risk factors of overweight and obesity among preschool children aged
2- 6 years in Suez city. The study population included 150 overweight
and obese children and 150 normal weight children in nursery schools in urban areas in Suez city. According to Egyptian percentiles for BMI specific for age and sex the BMI of 85 percentile was taken as an upper limit of normal and as a span of 85 to <95 percentiles as overweight and the values above 95 percentile considered obese.
All subjects included in the study were subjected to the following:
• History taking: with emphasis on, risk factors of childhood obesity including: Nutritional history, Physical activity, sedentary behavior, family history of obesity and socio-economic status.
• Anthropometric measurements: which included: height and weight.
BMI was calculated.
It was found that there was no significant difference between overweight/obese children and normal children as regarding age and gender.
The study proved a significant statistical difference regarding level of parental education and maternal work where overweight and obesity increased in illiterate and just read and write parents and with non working mothers.
Moreover, it was found that parental obesity; high number of family members and moderate family income are risk factors of obesity.
Early age of weaning (before 3 months) and carbohydrates as a main type of weaning food were highly significant in overweight and obese children. While exclusive breast feeding protects against obesity.
It was also found that bad nutritional habits as eating snacks, eating fast food, eating sweets , drinking juices and soda and eating while watching TV/computer were highly significant in overweight and obese children. Lack of physical activity and sedentary life style were concluded to be major risk factors for obesity.