Physical activity correlates of overweight and obesity in school-going children of Dehradun, Uttarakhand

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is important for prevention of overweight and obesity in growing children. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to explore the association of overweight and obesity in school children of the district of Dehradun with physical activity, sports, and recreation at home and school. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1266 schoolchildren of select private and government schools in urban and rural areas was done. RESULTS: Overall 15.6% of children were overweight, of which 5.4% were obese. Overweight and obesity were significantly associated with physical inactivity related to passive transport to school, missed opportunities for play during lunch breaks, lack of participation in household work, and excessive viewing of television. CONCLUSION: We found a significant association between the lack of physical activity and overweight and obesity. There is a need to enhance physical activity, sports, and recreational opportunities at school as well as home to prevent overweight and obesity in children. Family physicians should include counseling for this important and cheap modifiable risk factor in their family care practice.