Assessment of obesity in school children

Abstract

Background : Traditionally, a fat child is considered as an 'attractive' child and is often referred to as a 'healthy' child, one who is likely to survive the rigors of undernourishment and infection. The obesity has been defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to the extent that health may be impaired. Obesity can be seen as the first wave of a defined cluster of non communicable diseases called New World Syndrome creating an enormous socioeconomic and public health burden in poorer countries. Objective : To study the prevalence of childhood obesity in study area. Materials and Methods : The present cross-sectional study was carried out in Municipal Corporation area among school going children during the period of 1 st Sept 2009 to 31 st August 2010. We prepared the list of children, roll number wise from selected school. Four hundred school children were included in study (286 from government school and 114 from private school). Selection was done by systematic sampling method. First we selected 10 th roll number and then every 10 th roll number children was included in the study. Those children who were absent on the day of survey were not included. The weight and height was measurement by the investigator himself to avoid possible observer's bias. Shoes, Chapels were removed before taking the weight and weight. Results and Conclusion : The study conducted among a sample of 400 school children of Municipal corporation area revealed that 30 (7.5%) of the children were overweight, 25 (6.3%) were obese and 345 (86.3%) of them were normal. Out of a total of 400 children screened, 206 (51.5%) were girls and 194 (48.5%) were boys. Among the total girls, 10.2% were overweight and 6.3% were obese, 83.5% were normal. Similarly, among total boys 4.6% were overweight and 6.2% were obese, 89.2% were normal. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher in girls than boys. Difference in the distribution of children according to sex was not statistically significant. The age group of 13-14 years showed highest prevalence in overweight (18%) and obesity (9%).