Prasanth Karakkad1, Kuruvilla John2, Elizebeth V. Issac3
BACKGROUND
Obesity and overweight are increasing in young population due to lifestyle changes and various risk factors. Aims of study are to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children aged 5-12 yrs. of Kannur district, the risk factors for overweight and obesity in children aged 5-12 yrs. complications associated with obesity.
METHODS
This is a descriptive/cross-sectional study done for a period of 1 year (June 2007 - June 2008) in government and private schools of Kannur district. Subjects of study were children between age group of 5-12 years attending selected government and private schools. By using appropriate statistical methods, sample size required for estimating a prevalence of obesity was found to be 2400. Cluster sampling technique is used. From a list of all schools, two strata were made as government schools and private schools from which three private schools and two government schools were selected using a simple random method. Absentees and those who have not given parental consent were excluded. Study variables are age, sex, socioeconomic status, birth weight, blood pressure, maternal education, television viewing, monthly income of parents, government/private school and family size.
RESULTS
Prevalence of obesity in study sample is 3%, overweight 7.25%, normal weight 71.75%, underweight 18%. Girls are more prone than boys to develop persistent obesity during adolescence. X² test for overweight showed the relation of age and gender with overweight is significant (p value 0.001 and 0.041, respectively). X² test for overweight and school showed that the relation between overweight and school is significant. X² test for obesity and birth weight shows that there is positive correlation between obesity and birth weight (p value=0.042). X² test for obesity and television watching shows significant correlation. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between maternal education and overweight in children. X² test for overweight and monthly income of parents shows significant correlation p value=0.000. X² test for overweight and blood pressure shows that relation between them are significant p value=0.001. X² test for overweight and family size shows that relation between them is significant p value=0.039.
CONCLUSION
Obesity in children is associated with birth weight, socioeconomic status, family size. No association was found between television watching, maternal education.
