Incidence Of Obesity and Dietary pattern Among Adolescent Boys (14-18years) Of Chandigarh, India.PRADHAN R* AND PRIYANKA** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND POST GRADUATE STUDENT, GOVERNMENT HOME SCIENCE COLLEGE, SECTOR 10, CHANDIGARH, INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Unhealthy nutrition and lack of physical activity are major contributing factors for obesity.OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence  of obesity among 14 -18 years adolescent boys of Chandigarh.

METHODS:

Cross sectional, descriptive study.Using random sampling 500 adolescent school going boys belonging to 14-18years were assessed for obesity (BMI) and dietary pattern by using a pretested,self designed, structured questionnaire

RESULTS:

The finding indicates that 23 percent subjects were overweight, socioeconomic class and BMI of subjects was found to be significantly related (chi sq ,p-value= 0.001).Fat intake was significantly higher than the RDA(t-test). Fat intake (p<0.00) had the maximum affect on BMI when compared with other variables (TV duration, fat intake, sleep duration more than7hrs) using multiple regression. Skipping breakfast (31.6%), snacking while watching television(40%) and eating in canteen(67.4%) were some of the unhealthy dietary habits. 70 % subjects devoted more than 1hr in sedantary leisure activity. Sleeping more than 7 hours was also an influencing factor on  obesity and it showed significant results (p<0.004).

CONCLUSIONS:

Large scale nationwide campaigns to spread   messages on healthy  nutrition and physical activity , targeted at specific groups are required for the prevention of obesity  and to check the growing epidemic of obesity.