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Indian Pediatr 2015;52: 619 |
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Obesity and its Complications Among Suburban
Schoolchildren
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*Ahmar Shamim, Nimain C Mohanty and Nidhi Madan
Department of Pediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Mission
Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Email: [email protected]
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Childhood obesity is escalating at an alarming rate throughout the
world. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity in
children attending government schools in Navi Mumbai, India, and to
assess the associated dietary habits and lifestyle patterns.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010-2011
among children (age 5-15 years) going to suburban schools, attending the
pediatric outpatient department of our hospital as part of periodic
school health check-up program. Written informed consent was obtained
from the head of the respective institutions who had obtained prior
approval of the parents through school diary. The study protocol was
approved by the Institute Ethics Committee. Children diagnosed to be
obese due to endogenous causes or those on long term medications such as
steroids and hormone preparations were excluded. Children with syndromic
features were also excluded. A total of 1682 students were included in
the study. Weight (electronic scale, sensitivity 0.1 kg) and height (stadiometer,
sensitivity 1 mm) were recorded and body mass index (BMI) was
calculated. Children were categorized into undernourished, normal and
obese based on BMI percentile less than 5th, 5th and 95th, and >95th,
respectively-based on nomogram with respect to their age and sex. Their
diet pattern, physical activity and television viewing was also
recorded. Fasting blood samples were taken from 66 obese children for
blood sugar, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), liver transaminase,
thyroid function tests and serum insulin levels. The statistical
analyses were done with SPSS.
Prevalence of obesity was 9.3%, with male
preponderance. Fifty percent of obese children consumed excess calories
with significantly (<0.001) more calories in dinner, and higher intake
of junk food. Obese children watched television for significantly more
time than non-obese children (82 vs. 56 min; P<0.002).
History of asthma was found to be more common (P<0.001) in obese
(6.7%) as compared to non-obese children (0.7%). Out of 66 obese
children, two had impaired glucose tolerance, and none had overt
diabetes. All obese children had high serum fasting insulin levels
indicating insulin resistance. Total cholesterol was borderline elevated
in 10 (15.1%), and high in 4 (6.1%) children. Triglycerides was
borderline elevated in 12 (18.1%) and high in 7 (10.6%) children and LDL
was borderline elevated in 10 (15.1%) and high in 6 (9.1%) children. HDL
level was borderline in19 (28.8%) children and low in 5 (7.5%) children.
Two (3.0%) children had a low T3, and 1 (1.5%) child had a low T4; TSH
was high in 7 (10.6%) children. Liver transaminases were within normal
range in all children.
The prevalence of childhood obesity varies from 4.5
to 45% in different parts of the world [1,2]. Consumption of junk foods
and snacking in between the meals increase the likelihood of obesity
[3]. Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and deranged lipid profile is
common in obese children [4,5]. Elevation of TSH is also frequently
found in obese children, and is reversible after weight loss [6].
Contributors: AS: concept, design and
supervision of the work, analysis of data, and drafting and revision of
manuscript for important intellectual content; NCM: supervision of the
work, data analysis and revision of manuscript; NM: concept of study,
data collection, analysis, drafting and revision of manuscript; AS: will
act as the guarantor.
Funding: None; Competing interests: None
stated.
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