Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity has become so common that days are not far off when it will replace under nutrition as a significant contributor to ill-health. 50-80% of obese children will continue with their status in adulthood, resulting in higher risk of Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Diseases and many obesity related diseases. The present study was undertaken with the objective to find out the magnitude of obesity and its association with socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on120 children (aged 6-15 years) in a slum Chetla under the purview of AIIHPH, Kolkata. BMIof the children was measured and socio-demographic characteristics and other risk factors were assessed during the study with the help of a semi structured, pretested questionnaire. RESULTS:Theoverall prevalence of obesity was 13.3%. Prevalence among boys and girls was 48.3% and 51.7% respectively. Among the obese78.3% were takinghigh calorie food. Regarding physicalactivity 52.5% donotcycle while52.5% children were playing for less than 1 hour per day. Obesity was significantly associated with age, sex, education of mother, socioeconomic status and high calorie food. However other variables like physical activity did not show any significant association. CONCLUSION: Greater emphasis should be laid inthe society in terms of prevention of obesity and on reinforcing all preventive measures like physical activities, correct diet, and maintenance of correct BMI. This will in the long run help in enhancement of control of many non-communicable diseases which are associated with obesity especially childhood obesity.