Rise in childhood obesity with persistently high rates of undernutrition among urban school-aged Indo-Asian children

Abstract

Background:Childhood obesity is an emerging global public health challenge. Evidence for the transition in nutrition in Indo-Asian developing countries is lacking. We conducted these analyses to determine the trends in nutritional status of school-aged children in urban Pakistan.Methods:Data on the nutritional status of children aged 5 to 14 years from two independent population-based representative surveys, the urban component of the National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP; 1990–1994) and the Karachi survey (2004–2005), were analysed. Using normative data from children in the United States as the reference, trends for age- and gender-standardised prevalence (95% CI) of underweight (more than 2 SD below the weight-for-age reference), stunted (more than 2 SD below the height-for-age reference) and overweight and obese (body mass index (BMI) 85th percentile or greater) children were compared for the two surveys. The association between physical activity and being overweight or obese was analysed in the Karachi survey using logistical regression analysis.Results:2074 children were included in the urban NHSP and 1675 in the Karachi survey. The prevalence of underweight children was 29.7% versus 27.3% (p = 0.12), stunting was 16.7% versus 14.3% (p = 0.05), and prevalence of overweight and obese children was 3.0 versus 5.7 (p<0.001) in the NHSP and Karachi surveys, respectively. Physical activity was inversely correlated with being overweight or obese (odds ratio, 95% CI, 0.51, 0.32–0.80 for those who engaged in more than 30 minutes of physical activity versus those engaged in less than 30 minutes’ activity).Conclusions:Our study highlights the challenge faced by Pakistani school-aged children. There has been a rapid rise in the number of overweight and obsese children despite a persistently high burden of undernutrition. Focus on prevention of obesity in children must include strategies for promoting physical activity.

Prevalence of Obesity in School Children and Its Relation to Lifestyle Behaviors in Al-Ahsa District of Saudi Arabia

“…It is well documented that the physical activity is inversely related to overweight and obesity in children and all age groups (Jafar et al, 2008).Physical inactivity during the early years of life is currently indicated as a major contributor to the increasing levels of obesity, and other serious medical conditions, seen in children and adolescents (Speiser et al, 2005). The present study showed a significant association between lower BMI scores among the included subjects and practicing physical activities during leisure times.…”

Handgrip strength in medical students: Correlation with body mass index and hand dimensions

“…1 Handgrip strength (HGS) is a reliable clinical parameter to assess nutritional status and physical fitness.…”

Nutritional Status, Dietary Practices and Physical Activities of Adolescents in Public and Private Schools of Karachi, Pakistan

“…2 Good nutrition is essential for preventing nutritional disorders and averting subsequent incidence of acute and chronic diseases in later life. [3][4][5] Failure to consume a nutritionally balanced diet at this decisive point in life not only arrests linear growth but also influences the psychomotor functioning of adolescents. 6 Numerous studies and reports [7][8][9][10][11] revealed that adolescents are at a greater risk of nutritional deficiencies and disorders due to their rapid body growth, unhealthy eating habits, psychological, mental and emotional pressures associated with body dissatisfaction and temptations to have a slimmer body.…”