Volume : III, Issue : V, May - 2014

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Rural School Children of Maharashtra , India

Dr Niwrutti Jiwane, Dr Sarita Wadhva

Abstract :

Abstract– Background and objectives: Obesity and overweight have become a worldwide epidemic, and there is an urgent need to determine prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight across countries.In India there is paucity of data on the childhood obesity and more so in rural areas which is an emerging health challenge.Thus the aim of this study was  to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the school children in rural part of Maharashtra in Central India Methods: The sample comprised of 905 school children. Information was collected by interview technique, using predesigned and pretested proforma. Anthropometric measurements like weight and height were taken as per standard techniques after obtaining informed consent. Children were classified according to WHO charts of BMI for age for boys and girls ( 5–19 years) , 2007 as Underweight (85th–97th percentile) and Obese (>97th percentile).Results: Out of 905 school children, 539 (59.6%) were boys and 366 (40.4%) were girls .Mean age of school children was 11.06 ± 3.08 yrs range being 5 yrs –19 yrs. 46 (5.08%) school children were overweight and 31 (3.43%) were obese. Thus the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children was 8.51%.There was no significant difference between  males and  females. Conclusion:The prevalence of overweight and obesity among rural school children is 8.51% which is quite high.  

Keywords :

Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Dr Niwrutti Jiwane, Dr Sarita Wadhva /Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Rural School Children of Maharashtra , India /International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol.3, Issue. 5, May 2014

Number of Downloads : 1969

References :