Objective To analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of overweight and obesity among primary school students in a community of Fengxian District, Shanghai, and to provide references for formulating prevention and control strategies against overweight and obesity.

Methods Data on height and weight of all primary school students in a community in Fengxian District, Shanghai, in 2023 were obtained by physical examination, and 1 759 primary school students were included according to the entry criteria. Overweight and obesity were determined using body mass index (BMI). Additionally, a questionnaire survey was performed to 1 045 students to collect their demographic characteristics, dietary behaviors, dietary habits, sleep and physical activity information. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of overweight and obesity.

Results In 2023, among the 1 759 primary school students in the community in Fengxian District, 923 (52.47%) were male and 836 (47.53%) were female, with an overweight/obesity detection rate of 28.08%. The detection rate of overweight and obesity was 33.37% in males and 22.25% in females, which was significantly higher in males than that in females (χ²=26.845, P<0.001). Students aged 10‒12 years had a higher overweight/obesity detection rate (32.55%) than those aged 6‒<10 years (26.53%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=10.925, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that being female, with young age, parental education level of bachelor’s degree and above, a high global dietary recommendation healthy (GDR-healthy) score, preference for vegetables and sweeter home-cooked meals, and a slow eating speed were negatively correlated with overweight/obesity. Whereas, parental overweight and obesity, binge eating, and a faster eating pace than same-age, same-gender peers may be positively correlated with overweight/obesity.

Conclusion The detection rate of overweight and obesity among primary school students in the community in Fengxian District of Shanghai is higher than the national level. Gender, age, parental BMI, parental education level, dietary behaviors and habits are the main influencing factors of overweight/obesity among primary school students.