Body Mass Index of selected Overweight and Obese Indian Adolescents in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Childhood obesity is an important predisposing factor for most non-communicable diseases. Irrespective of the age and gender, the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity has attained alarming levels not only in developed countries but also in developing  countries among  all  socio-economic  groups.  The  prevalence  of  overweight  and  obesity has reached  alarming  levels, affecting virtually both developed and developing countries of all socio-economic groups, irrespective of their age and gender. Hence, the  present  study  was  aimed  to  identify  the  anthropometric  measurements  of  selected  overweight  and  obese  school-going adolescents from different schools from Madurai district Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 514 adolescents (312 Girls and 202 Boys) aged 13-18 years participated from government and private schools. Mean height, weight and BMI were calculated and compared with (National centre for Health Statistics) NCHS standard references. The mean height, weight and BMI were found to be increasing as the age increases of both genders. Body Mass Index of Girls (34.18 – 35.24)was found to be higher than boys (33.49 – 32.89) of the same age group.   The School-going adolescents of both genders, in general, have short stature at all ages as compared to NCHS reference data. The prevalence of Overweight 95 (18.48%) and obese 315 (61.28%) was found to be higher in Nuclear families, but there was no statistical association between family type and BMI (X2 = 2.575, p > .05). A significant relationship was found between the Body Mass Index of the adolescents and Father’s Educational qualification (p=.00) and Mother’s Occupation (p=.008). Nutrition education can play an important part in reducing the incidence of overweight/obesity and its associated complications.Extensive trials with a healthy school environment as an intervention may pave the way for developing new strategies to reduce the overweight and obesity in school-going adolescents.