Prevalence of obesity and overweight among school children of Pune city, Maharashtra, India: a cross sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151406Keywords:
Prevalence, Obesity, Overweight, School children, BMIAbstract
Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as reduced life expectancy. The last two decade of previous century have witnessed dramatic increase in health care cost due to obesity and related issues among children and adolescents. The objective of the study was to find out prevalence of obesity and overweight among school children.
Methods: The present cross sectional study was undertaken during July 2009 to April 2011 in randomly selected 4 schools of Pune city. Total 1281 children between the age group of 10 to 15 years were examined after taking written informed consent of their parents using pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured performa. Anthropometric measurements were taken and BMI were calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined based on the IOTF (International Obesity Task Force) criteria. Thus collected data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Open- Epi Software. (Version 2.3)
Results: Out of 1281 children, 704 were from government schools and 577 were from private schools. Out of total children 54.09% were males. According to Modified Kuppuswamy Classification, all children of Private Schools belonged to Upper Class whereas it was so only in 27.41% of Government School children who belonged maximally to Upper Middle Class 378 (67.5%). Prevalence of obesity and overweight among children of government school was 2.98% and 8.23% respectively. Prevalence of obesity and overweight among children of private school was 8.83% and 12.13% respectively. Prevalence of both obesity and overweight was found to be maximum in 15 years age group both in Government schools and private schools. Overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was 5.62% and 9.99% respectively.
Conclusions: High prevalence of obesity and overweight in school children indicate an urgent need to increase awareness via education and motivation of all stakeholders. This will go a long way in preventing childhood obesity and thus ultimately stemming the rising tide of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardio vascular disease in India.
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