Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Children and Adolescents in Urban India

Abstract

Abstract:To determine the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among the school children aged 8-15 years. A cross sectional design was adopted and 3 schools (2 private and 1 corporation schools) were selected by stratified cluster-sampling technique. Data was collected by interviewer administered method by trained research officers using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire to a total sample of 1193 school children from grades IV to X (i.e.) aged 8 to15 years. Prevalence rates were calculated using WHO-BMI for age percentile chart 2007. Regression analysis was done to determine the risk factors associated with overweight. The overall prevalence of overweight was 12.1% among the children and 15.5 % among the adolescents. Both overweight (22%) and obesity (13.7%) were highest among girls from affluent families. The mean anthropometric measurements, prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher among the urban affluent children. Factors associated with overweight were upper socioeconomic status (OR-3.4, CI-1.8 to 6.7, P<0.0001) and greater than 2hours television watching (OR -2.5, CI-1.1 to 5.4, P < 0.0001). The children had grossly inadequate knowledge about healthy lifestyle habits. Overweight and obesity are predisposing factors for many diseases. These findings suggest the need for early intervention programs, targeting the children from affluent society.

A study of prevalence of obesity and its correlates among government and private school children in Hyderabad: a comparative study

“…Similar findings were reported by Bharati DR et al, Thakre SB et al, Sain S et al, Goyal RK et al [8][9][10]14 We also examined an association between diet related determinants like type of diet, intake of soft drinks, sweets, pizza, fruits with obesity. It was found that except type of diet all other factors were significantly associated with obesity among private school children.…”

“…Tharkar S et al observed that the prevalence of overweight was 12.1% among children and 15.5% in adolescents. 10 Kaur J et al noted a prevalence of obesity of 26.84% in private school girls which is higher than that reported by us. 11 This may be because of difference in the climate of Hyderabad and Ludhiana (Punjab).…”

Overweight, obesity, underweight and stunting in female primary school learners in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…[10,21] Factors that are protective against increasing overweight include time spent in physical activity and hours of sleeping. [10,21] The finding of underweight in rural learners indicates the presence of undernutrition in households and communities. [4] Food insecurity is present in 35% of households, despite SA being a middle-income country.…”

Study of obesity and hypertension in adolescents and their relationship with anthropometric indices

“…Keeping in mind the prevalence of obesity in adolescents of urban schools of India and taking 20% as allowable error, sample size of 450 was calculated. 21, 22 The sampling population included urban public schools in Amravati. Boys and girls in the age group of 12 to 17 years were included in the study.…”