Augmenting body mass index and waist-height ratio for establishing more efficient obesity percentiles among school-going children by using body mass index, waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio

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 socio-economic and public health burden in poorer countries. Objective: Augmenting body mass index (BMI) and waist-height ratio for establishing more efficient obesity percentiles among school-going children by using BMI, waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the municipal corporation area among school going children during the period of 1 st September 2009-31 st August 2010. We prepared the list of children roll number wise from selected school. From the list of children by systematic random sampling method, we selected 10% children, i.e., 286 government's school children, 114 private schools children and total 400 school children were selected for study. 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 a survey, they were not included. Results and Conclusion: The study conducted among a sample of 400 school children of the 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 6.25% 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. Maximum prevalence of overweight (18%) was found in the 13-14 years age group and prevalence of obesity (9%) was in the same age group.