Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Affluent Adolescent in Surat City, South Gujarat region, India

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major global burden. Low levels of physical activity, TV watching, and dietary pattern are modifiable risk factors for overweight and obesity in adolescent. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for overweight and obesity among affluent adolescent, in Surat city in south Gujarat. DESIGN: Cross sectional from July 2009 to April 2010. SETTING: Two private schools with tuition fees more than Rs. 2000 per month, were selected randomly using a random table. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were adolescents, 12 to 15 years of age. DATA COLLECTION: Pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit the information about dietary history and physical activity. MEASUREMENT: Height and weight was measured and BMI was calculated. Overweight and obesity were assessed by BMI for age. Student who had BMI for age <85(th) and <95(th) percentile of reference population were classified as overweight and BMI for age <95(th) percentile of reference population were classified as obese (IAP Growth Monitoring Guidelines for Children from Birth to 18 Year). RESULT: The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was 6.55% and 13.9% (boys: 6.7% and 15.1%; girls 6.4% and 13.35%). Final model of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that important determinants of overweight and obesity were low levels of physical activity, watching television or playing computer games, and consuming junk foods, snacks and carbonated drinks. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of obesity and overweight among affluent adolescent of Surat city was found to be 6.55% and 13.9%, respectively. Low level of physical activity, watching TV or playing computer games, and dietary pattern predisposed the adolescent to overweight/obesity.