Prevalence of obesity and associated sociodemographic factors among adolescents in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India

Obesity is global health concern due to its steadily rising prevalence and major risk factors for several obesity related comorbidities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors of obesity among adolescents. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1101 school-going adolescents of 12 – 17 years studying in class 6 to 9. Anthropometric measurements were taken. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated to be 10.4% and 4.1%, considering IAP reference standards as cut – offs. Altogether, overweight and obesity involve 14.4% of the sample. Obesity was higher in early adolescents, private school, joint family, lower socio- economic status, higher parental educational level, in high income families and in first birth order adolescents. Overweight/obesity prevalence should be taken into consideration as adolescent obesity is marker of adulthood obesity and is associated with increased rate obesity related comorbidities in adult population. A preventive programmed action considering these factors must be planned for reducing obesity among adolescents in the society.