PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY AND UNDERWEIGHT AMONG RURAL GOVERNMENT GIRLS SCHOOL IN ANANTHAPURAMU DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Dr. A.V. Rama Kishore; Dr. C. V. Prathyusha

Volume : VII, Issue : XII, December - 2017

PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY AND UNDERWEIGHT AMONG RURAL GOVERNMENT GIRLS SCHOOL IN ANANTHAPURAMU DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Dr. A. V. Rama Kishore, Dr. C. V. Prathyusha

Abstract :

Background: Obesity and overweight once thought to be the problem of developed affluent societies has become a worldwide epidemic. In India there were very few studies for determination of the prevalence of childhood obesity and more so in rural areas which is an emerging challenge. This study aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and also prevalence of underweight in rural school children, mainly girls.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight among children aged between 10 – 15years studying in rural government girls school in Ananthapuramu District, Andhra Pradesh.

Material and Methods: A total of 564 children between age group 10 – 15 years were screened from three rural schools running under Government. The overweight, obesity and underweight were computed using WHO Charts of BMI for girls aged 5 – 19 years 2007.

Results: In the present study the overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was found to be 0.53% and 1.59% respectively. Prevalence of underweight was 22.51%. 75.35% of students had normal nutritional status.

Conclusion: Obesity and Overweight are the conditions if not controlled in the childhood may lead to chronic disease. Early interventions may help in preventing childhood obesity and then stemming the rising tide of non–communicable diseases.