Assessment of Risk Factors for Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study among Rural School Going Children in Hooghly District, West Bengal

Abstract

Introduction: Intermediate school children are in the transition phase from adolescent to adulthood. This age group is known for experimentation and vulnerability to adopt lifestyles predisposing to non-communicable diseases. Method: A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used in class-room setting to collect information from students regarding presence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases. The respondents were also subjected to anthropometric measurements and blood pressure examination using standard operating procedures. Results: A total of 761 students of class VI-XII participated in the study of which 61.4% were boys and rests were girls. Increased body mass index among boys and girls were 12.6% and 11.6% were respectively. In Bivariate analysis fast food intake (>3 times/week) (OR=1.92), less physical activity (OR=1.86), high blood pressure (OR=2.53) were significantly associated with increased body mass index. In Multivariate analysis fast food intake (AOR=1.83), less physical activity (AOR= 1.94), high blood pressure (AOR=2.40) remains significant predictor. Conclusion: Therefore it is strongly felt that all efforts must be made to obviate the risk factors of overweight and obesity among the general mass at a very early age. Those efforts must be well structured, scientifically systematized and socially implementable. Keywords: Children, BMI, Risk factor, Rural school.