Sociodemographic and Dietary Factors Associated with Overnutrition among Early Adolescents Aged 11–14 Years in Primary Schools: A Case-Control Study in Ambo, Ethiopia

Background Overnutrition is a public health concern and can result in an increased risk of mortality later in life. Ethiopia is among the Sub-Saharan countries with a high prevalence of early adolescent overnutrition. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and dietary factors associated with overnutrition among adolescents. Methods A school-based, unmatched case-control study of 340 early adolescents (85 cases and 255 controls) who were randomly selected from primary schools in Ambo town in 2023. The data was collected in the period January 1–30, 2023. An administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The adolescents' height and weight were measured. BMI for age Z-score was calculated using WHO AnthroPlus software. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between the outcome and independent variables. Result All recruited adolescents were interviewed (100% response rate). Being female [AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3–4.5]; having a housewife mother (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–5.2), consuming sweet foods more than three days per week [AOR = 4.9, 95% CI: 2.6–9.4], consuming meat more than three days per week [AOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 2.9–10.0], and consuming snacks two or more times per day [AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2–7.6] were significantly associated with overnutrition among early adolescents. Conclusion Being female, having a housewife mother, and frequent consumption of sweets, meat, and snacks were identified as potential contributing factors to overnutrition in early adolescents. Therefore, the concerned bodies should collaborate to prevent early adolescents’ overnutrition by focusing on feeding habits and food preferences.