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Correlates of Overweight and Obesity
Among Urban School Going
Children of Nagpur City
1593-1597
Correspondence
Dr. Subhash B. Thakre
Plot. No.9,Swami Swarupanand Society,
Narendra Nagar, Ngpur-15, India.
Phone: 9822366532
E-mail : drsubhasht@rediffmail.com;
sushamathakre@rediffmail.com
Introduction: Overweight and obesity during childhood are a matter of growing concern in India. Most individuals develop their eating and activity patterns during childhood. Obesity in children and adolescents is gradually becoming a major public health problem in many developing countries, including India. The objective of the present study is to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children and to identify the factors which influenced childhood overweight and obesity.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2009 to January 2011 on school children who were aged between 5 and 16 years.
Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children was 9.00% and 5.5% respectively. Overall, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was 14.52%. The risk of overweight/obesity was significantly (p<0.0120) higher among children who belonged to the upper SES and to the age group of ≥ 10 years, who viewed television for ≥ 1 hour, who slept for only ≥ 7 hours (OR=1.87; 95% CI=1.87-2.53) and who used vehicles to go to school (OR=1.59 ;95%CI =1.14-2.24). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly (p<0.0032) lower among children who swam, danced regularly (p<0.0353) and played outdoor games (p<0.0323) than their counterparts. Its association was found to be protective against overweight/ obesity. The risk of overweight /obesity was significantly higher among children who were non-vegetarians (OR=1.88; 95% CI=1.39-2.55, p<0.0001), who regularly consumed junk food (OR=2.54; 95% CI=1.82-3.53, p<0.0001), and in whom the calorie intake was more than the recommended daily allowances (OR=1.88; 95% CI=1.39-2.55, p<0.0001).
Conclusion: This study confirmed the findings of earlier studies which were carried out in the other parts of the country and it emphasized that regular physical exercise, regulated television viewing, and a healthy eating behaviour could contribute to control overweight and obesity.