Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: November | Volume: 7 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 257-262
Lifestyle Pattern and Prevalence of Obesity among School Children in Chennai City (10-17 Years)
Rajkala. A1, K. S. Kumari2
1Research Scholar, Department of Food and Nutrition, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India.
2Research Guide, Director, Sree Sankara College, Kalady, Ernakulum Dist, Kerala, India
Corresponding Author: Rajkala. A
ABSTRACT
Obesity and overweight pose a major risk for serious diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer that reduce the overall quality of life. Of special concern is the increasing incidence of child obesity. Increased consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats, combined with reduced physical activity, have led to obesity rates that have risen three-fold and more. The obesity epidemic is not restricted just to the industrialized societies and developed countries; it is much faster in developing countries like India. Hence, in the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the prevalence and relationship between lifestyle factors such as physical activity and dietary pattern of school going children on obesity. The study consisted of 215 children, consisting of both boys and girls in the age group of 10-17 years. The socio-demographic profile, anthropometric measurements, physical activity pattern, snacking habits and dietary habits were obtained from the selected subjects. The findings revealed that 22.79 percent of the children were either overweight/ obese. The children had the habit of skipping meals prepared at home, snacked on junk foods in-between meals and also while watching television, craved for sweets and chocolates and ate unhealthy foods almost every day. The usage of computers, mobile phones and television viewing time was high and the physical activity was low. Hence a multi-disciplinary approach is required at all levels to bring about a change in the minds of the society in reducing malnutrition.
Key words: childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, over-weight, obese, urbanization, life-style disorder, non-communicable diseases.