Dhirendra Pratap Singh1,2, Arpit Arya3, Kanthi Kiran Kondepudi1, Mahendra Bishnoi1, Ravneet Kaur Boparai3. 1. Department of Food and Nutritional Biotechnology, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, SAS Nagar, Punjab, India. 2. Division of Toxicology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 3. Department of Foods and Nutrition, Government Home Science College, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is reported worldwide. Few data are available regarding childhood obesity in North India. The present study aimed to study the prevalence of overweight/obesity among adolescents aged 10-14, in schools of Chandigarh, and to examine associated factors. METHODS: Nine co-educational schools were chosen to include both government and private schools in Chandigarh. We randomly sampled students from different subsections/batches of classes fifth to ninth (aged 10-14), and those present on the day were measured and completed questionnaires. Obesity was classified according to the methods recommended by the Indian Association of Pediatrics (IAP) growth charts committee. RESULTS: A total of 1,030 participants were included, 502 students from government and 528 students from private schools. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity evaluated by using age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs was found to be 9.9% and 14.0%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight (adult equivalent of 23) was 10.3% in boys and 9.4% in girls and that of obesity (adult equivalent of 27) was found to be 13.3% and 14.7%, respectively, in boys and girls. In univariate analyses, statistically significant associations were found between the risk of obesity and gender, socio-economic status (SES) and reported physical activity. CONCLUSION: We found significant levels of overweight and obesity among children aged 10-14 and found associations with SES, gender and reported physical activity as has been previously reported elsewhere.
BACKGROUND: An increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is reported worldwide. Few data are available regarding childhood obesity in North India. The present study aimed to study the prevalence of overweight/obesity among adolescents aged 10-14, in schools of Chandigarh, and to examine associated factors. METHODS: Nine co-educational schools were chosen to include both government and private schools in Chandigarh. We randomly sampled students from different subsections/batches of classes fifth to ninth (aged 10-14), and those present on the day were measured and completed questionnaires. Obesity was classified according to the methods recommended by the Indian Association of Pediatrics (IAP) growth charts committee. RESULTS: A total of 1,030 participants were included, 502 students from government and 528 students from private schools. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity evaluated by using age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs was found to be 9.9% and 14.0%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight (adult equivalent of 23) was 10.3% in boys and 9.4% in girls and that of obesity (adult equivalent of 27) was found to be 13.3% and 14.7%, respectively, in boys and girls. In univariate analyses, statistically significant associations were found between the risk of obesity and gender, socio-economic status (SES) and reported physical activity. CONCLUSION: We found significant levels of overweight and obesity among children aged 10-14 and found associations with SES, gender and reported physical activity as has been previously reported elsewhere.