CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Statistics indicating the worrisome rate at which the issue is growing have brought forth a lot of recent media emphasis on obesity. Obesity has traditionally only been associated with adults, growing more common as people age. However, as a result of children's sedentary lifestyles brought on by a variety of circumstances, obesity in youngsters is now on the rise. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to control. In fact, the issue is getting so terrible that people are starting to worry that the present generation of kids would be the first in centuries to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
AIM: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among pre-school and school children and its impact on their health
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, as the investigator was familiar with the area and a good rapport was established with the school authorities. Moreover, data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among pre-school children, school going children and adolescents in this area was not available. The investigator selected children in the age group of 3 to 12 years for the study. A total of 1800 subjects were screened for the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the age group of 3-12yr. Among the 1800 surveyed school children subjects, 480 were overweight and 130 were obese.
RESULT: It is inferred from the above table that among the selected subjects, 4 percent of obese boys and 6 percent of obese girls were in the age group of 3-5 years. 6 percent of obese boys and 9 percent of obese girls were in the age group of 6-8 years. 8 percent of obese boys and 14 percent of obese girls were in the age group of 9-12 years. 18 percent of overweight boys and 8 percent of overweight girls were in the age group of 3-5 years, 30 percent of overweight boys and 19 percent of overweight girls were in the age group of 6-8 years and 34 percent of overweight boys and 34 percent of overweight girls were in the age group of 9-12 years.
CONCLUSION: A culture that encourages overeating and discourages exercise is to blame for the current obesity epidemic. Controlling portion size, eating a low-fat, low-energy density diet, and engaging in regular physical activity are all habits that can help prevent obesity, but it is become more and more difficult to adopt and sustain these behaviors in the current climate.
KEYWORDS: Childhood, Obesity, Adolescent, Diet and Overweight
