Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among college-going adolescents in Siddipet district

Abstract

Background: Obesity among children is a major public health problem in industrialized world and also in the developing countries such as India. The prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. India is going to become fourth country in terms of the greatest number of children with obesity. Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among college-going adolescents. Methods: Present cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 adolescents of 15–19 years. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect personal information, socioeconomic particulars, lifestyle patterns, and dietary habits. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by formula weight (kg)/height (m2). Based on the BMI charts developed by IAP, percentile for BMI was taken as a standard. Underweight students were excluded from the analysis. First correlation was carried out among BMI and all other variables. Significantly correlated variables were entered in the multiple linear regression model. Significant variables (P < 0.1) on Chi-square were entered in multiple logistic regression (MLR) model. Adjusted odds-ratio (OR) were compared with the crude odds ratio for each variable. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significance. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in both the sexes was found to be 17.7% in the present study. On crude analysis, being female (OR = 1.957 [1.272–3.01]), father being skilled or professional (OR = 8.184 [4.539–14.76]), father being educated at intermediate or higher (OR = 6.567 [4.132–10.44]), belonging to Social Class I and II (OR = 6.29 [3.362–11.77]), being nonvegetarian (OR = 1.663 [1.035–2.671]), and eating four times/day (OR = 1.717 [1.045–2.823]) were found to be significant risk factors for being overweight and obese among adolescents. However, final model of MLR showed that being female, father being highly educated, and belonging to higher social class were significant predictors of overweight and obesity. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among these college-going adolescents was high. Being female, father being highly educated and belonging to higher social class were the significant predictors of overweight and obesity.