Background: The problem of obesity is confined not only to adults but also among the children and adolescents of developed as well as developing countries. It is shown that 50-80% of obese children will continue as obese adults. Obesity predisposing to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and many more life shortening problems is well recognized. The present study was undertaken to understand the prevalence trend and influencing factors of childhood obesity
Aim: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among high school children aged between 13 to 16 years of Davangere City and to identify the factors influencing overweight and obesity.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Davangere city, Karnataka, India. The selected high school (VIII-X) children aged13to16 years (Govt., Aided and Unaided) proportion to the population size of the students constituted the study population. Sample size was 923 by simple random sampling method.
Results: Prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity was 7.6%.Parents education, income and parental obesity had an impact on childhood obesity. Increased snaking habits and sedentary activity like watching TV/ playing computer were the influencing factors of childhood obesity in this study.
Conclusion: On the background of higher prevalence of obesity in school children formulation and implementation of intervention (short and long term) measures focusing mainly on increasing the activity of children, drawing them away from high energy foods and providing psychological support is recommended.
Key words: High school children; Childhood obesity; Influencing factors; parental obesity; Snacking habit
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