Publication:

Prevalence of obesity and its associated risk factors among school children of Berhampur, Odisha, India

Background The highest prevalence rates of childhood obesity have been observed in developed countries, however, its prevalence is increasing in developing countries as well. Objective was to study the prevalence of obesity among school children & associated risk factors in Berhampur, Odisha, India.

Methods A cross sectional study in six schools of Berhampur, Odisha was carried out to determine the prevalence of obesity among school children aged 12 to 15 years and  its relation to socioeconomic condition, duration of television viewing, dietary habits & family type in Berhampur, Odisha, India.

Results Overall prevalence of obesity was 1.71% & that of overweight and obesity combined was found to be 7.13% with no statistically significant difference between male and female students. The prevalence of under nutrition was 20.97%.

Conclusions The prevalence of obesity is quite less compared to that of under nutrition. Obesity detected among school students in this study is more prevalent in higher socioeconomic class. Dietary habits and duration of television viewing do not significantly have any impact on BMI. Statistically significant association was observed between family type and body mass index with normal weight students belonging more to nuclear families.