Publication:

Overweight and obesity and lifestyle of urban adolescent school children of eastern state of India

Background There is reduction of childhood under nutrition and at the same time  a gradual increase in childhood obesity especially urban area is seen due to rapid urbanization, economic and food transition and changes in lifestyle. On this backdrop present study is taken up to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent school children of urban Sambalpur and its association with lifestyle behaviour.

Methods A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted from December, 2016 to April 2017 among 600 children of class VI to X of two government and two private schools. Thirty students were chosen in each class using systematic sampling method. Pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit the information on demographic variables and lifestyle behaviours. The risk factors were assessed by using the Chi-square test. For all the statistical tests, a p- value of<0.05 was considered as statistically significantResults: Prevalence of overweight and obesity were 8.9% and 3.4% respectively. Obesity was found more among girls (3.8%) and more children from private school were obese. Association of fast food, physical inactivity with obesity was significant.

Conclusions Overall combined prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity  was 12.3 per cent. Percentage of overweight and obese children studying in private schools was more as compared to government school children. School health program should incorporate health education of teachers, students, parents and a convergence of education and health sector can reduce the modifiable lifestyle behaviours.