Prevalence and risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in age group between 8 to 19 years in North India, a school based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to observe association of demographic, lifestyle factors and Socio cultural and economic factors among children’s and adolescents with overweight and obesity.Methods:Our study was cross sectional study, carried out in age group between 8 to 19 years of age from June to October 2019 in nine schools of district Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, North India. Body mass index (weight in kg/height in m2) was assessed to identify participants with (overweight/obese), CDC sex and age specific growth charts were used for assessment. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding socio-demographics and respondent’s exposure to various risk factors.Results: In our study, among 354 participants study showed that 44.1% were boys and 55.9% were girls. Among these15.5% were overweight and 5.9% were obese in females, while as 7.9% were overweight and 2.5% were obese in males, thus showing female preponderance. Besides this physical activity, consumption of junk/fast foods along with watching TV and video games along with mother education and occupation were significantly associated with overweight and obesity in children’s and adolescents.Conclusions:Having overweight parents along with limited exercise and Sedentary activities along with physical inactivity compounded by erratic eating habits with overweight parents are main risk factors leading to overweight and obesity in school going children’s and adolescents in north Kashmir, India.