Prevalence and sociodemographic profile of Overweight and Obesity among school going adolescents in Udaipur city – a cross sectional study!

Mohammed Shadab Gouri; Poornima Sharma; Rekha Bhatnagar

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Prevalence and sociodemographic profile of Overweight and Obesity among school going adolescents in Udaipur city – a cross sectional study!

Mohammed Shadab Gouri, Poornima Sharma, Rekha Bhatnagar

Abstract :

Background: Obesity is emerging as a �global epidemic�. Adolescents are at special risk due to the westernization of lifestyle. Objective: The study was done to assess the Prevalence and the Socio–demographic profile of Overweight and Obesity among school going adolescents aged 10 to 16 years in Udaipur city of Rajasthan. Method: A study sample of 900 students was taken from10 randomly selected government and private schools of the city at C.I. of 95% and were subjected to questionnaire & measurements. Results: The prevalence of obesity in school–going adolescents was found to be 4.4% and the total prevalence of �overweight and obesity� was 13.1%. The prevalence was statistically significant higher in 13 to 15 year age groups, higher in girls than boys, more in private school compared to government school going children. The prevalence was also higher in subjects belonging to higher socio–economic classes (Class 1 and 2) and the ones whose mother (13.8%) and father (14.9%) had education up to an undergraduate degree. Conclusion: The epidemic of obesity has deepened its roots in the adolescent population as its prevalence has increased more than 10 % in this age group. Immediate actions are required to control the public health issue to protect our potential future workforce from this menace