Prevalence of Obesity among 6 to 12 Year Old School Children in Kolenchery, Kerala

Abstract

Childhood obesity is one of the major public health threats both nationally and internationally. The prevalence of childhood obesity in India has been increasing at an alarming pace owing its credit to fast food culture, changing habits of children as well as the parents. An imbalance between calorie intake and calories utilized by the growing child's body is what primarily leads to malnutrition. One or more factors (genetic, behavioural, and environmental) cause obesity in children. Obese children and their families suffer physical, psychological, and social problems. Hence, effective intervention strategies are needed to prevent and control obesity in children. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of childhood obesity among 6 to 12 year old school going children at Kolenchery, Kerala, address various factors influencing childhood obesity, so that a variety of interventions and governmental actions to address this challenge can be developed.