BMC Public Health 2009, 9:485 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/9/485 Table 5: Sample and population weighted results of the multivariate logistic regression models for the relationship between stunting, overweight/obesity and selected sociodemographic variables in a sample of 1942 Palestinian adolescents in Ramallah and Hebron governorates Boys Stunting OR 95% CI OR 95% CI Overweight/obesitya Overweight/obesitya Girls Stunting OR 1 1.26 1 0.45 1 0.94 0.37 1 0.45 0.43 1 0.26 95% CI 0.76-2.09 0.23-0.89* 0.55-1.60 0.13-1.06 0.25-0.82* 0.13-1.39 OR 1 1.38 1 0.75 0.61 1.42 1.24 1 1 4.80 95% CI 0.87-2.18 0.46-1.23 0.33-1.10 0.82-2.47 0.80-1.93 Region Hebron 1 1 Ramallah 1.37 0.75-2.51 1.57 Residence Rural 1 1 Urban 0.96 0.51-1.81 1.27 Age in years 13 1 1 14 1.45 0.83-2.51 0.93 15 2.15 1.16-3.98* 1.58 Father's education Low 1 Medium 1.18 0.51-2.72 High 0.23 0.07-0.74* Mother's education Low 1 Medium/high 1.91 0.89-4.09 Family size 1-6 persons 0.57 0.23-1.40 1.78 7-8 persons 1.06 0.56-2.04 1.77 > 8 persons 1 1 Household STLb Low 1 1 Medium 0.82 0.37-1.79 1.10 High 0.94 0.35-2.53 2.08 Present household economic situation indexc Worse off 1 1 Medium 0.85 0.45-1.62 0.64 Better off 0.28 0.08-1.02 0.97 Food availabilityd Not available 1 Available 0.88 0.56-1.38 Onset of puberty No 1 1 Yes 0.50 0.25-1.02 1.53 0.93-2.65 0.68-2.38 0.57-1.54 0.91-2.74 0.97-3.28 0.96-3.24 0.64-1.88 1.19-3.63* 0.34-1.22 0.53-1.77 0.74-3.19 0.13-0.49*** 2.29-10.04*** OR: Odds ratios, 95%CI: 95% confidence intervals *P < 0.05 **P < 0.01 ***P < 0.001 aOverweight/obesity were defined using the 2000 CDC reference. bHousehold standard of living index (STL) was based on the possession of 16 household amenities; each item given a value of 1. cPresent household economic situation index was formed based on 4 questions: - "Do you have enough money to cover family needs now?" "At the present time, do you have any debts?" At the present time, to what extent do you have to postpone paying bills?" and "During the past school year, did you have to borrow money to cover family needs?" dFood availability was based on the question: is there enough food for all family members on daily basis now? the 14 years age groups because these are the most com- mon age groups attending the 8th and the 9th grades. Fewer of the 9th grade students, and less frequently 8th grade stu- dents, would be in the 15 years age group. The proportion of the younger age group (age group 13) was slightly higher and that of the older age groups (14 and 15 years age groups) was slightly lower in Ramallah than Hebron because the proportion of 8th grade students in Ramallah governorate was higher than that in Hebron governorate. In our study, indicators of both present and past family wealth were used. Closures of Palestinian areas, and recur- rent curfews since the second Intifada in 2000 have led to a rise in poverty [20] with 34% of Palestinians reported to be food insecure in 2006 [21]. The STL index, reflecting past wealth, is amenities-based and is similar to what has been used in other surveys on adolescents [17,22]. It is thought to be useful in this age group as many are unable to provide substantive information on their parents' occu- pation and income [23]. The amenities included in this index are culture specific for Palestinians and are listed among those used by PCBS for assessment of material standards of living [24]. In contrast, the present house- hold economic situation index, reflecting recent deteriora- Page 9 of 12 (page number not for citation purposes)