A STUDY OF OBESITY AMONG HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NELLORE CITY, A.P

Sasikala.P; Chandra Sekhar.V; K; Jyothi C.; Kumar C.; Sreelatha.N

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

A STUDY OF OBESITY AMONG HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NELLORE CITY, A.P

Sasikala. P, Chandra Sekhar. V, K, Jyothi C. , Kumar C. , Sreelatha. N

Abstract :

Background: Obesity, which is once considered as a symbol of status and wealth in some cultures is now seen as a public health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to it as a �Global Epidemic�1. Overweight and obesity now rank as the fifth leading global risk for mortality. Aims and Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of obesity in the high school children and some of its associated risk factors in the high school children in Nellore city. Materials and Methods: This is a community based cross–sectional study. The study was conducted in high schools of Nellore in 2000 children from 6th to 10th class. Schools were selected by probability proportional to size technique. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 6.4%, overweight was 15%. The mean BMI for girls ranges from 18.01�3.43 kg/m2 to 20.59�3.93 kg/m2. Obesity is significantly associated with working mother, consumption of beverages, junk foods, frequency of going to school canteen etc.(p<0.05) Conclusion: Obesity is creating an enormous socio–economic and public health burden in poorer countries, like ours. From our study we can conclude that, increasing prevalence rates of obesity are seen to be significantly associated with factors like, persons with sedentary habits, persons from three generation families, persons with family history of obesity, consuming energy rich foods, beverages, motorized school transport, sedentary activity like T.V viewing, playing of video games, habit of eating while watching TV, skipping eakfast, and having and eating in the school canteen.