Prevalence of Obesity Among School Students

Rupinderjit Kaur

doi:10.37591/jonsp.v13i3.3312

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of obesity is a global concern, affecting not only adults but also children, teenagers, and young adults. To address this issue, a study was conducted to assess the prevalence of obesity by measuring the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 120 school students in Tarn Taran, Punjab. The study revealed several key characteristics of the participants. A significant majority of the students were day scholars, constituting 81% of the sample. Moreover, a notable proportion of the students were vegetarians, accounting for 33% of the group. Encouragingly, a substantial portion of the participants engaged in regular physical activity, with 58% reporting that they went for regular walks. The study found that a significant portion of the students, specifically 82%, had a tendency to indulge in unhealthy fast food. The primary focus of the study was to calculate the BMI of the participants using anthropometric measurements. The results indicated a concerning trend in terms of weight status. In particular, 40 students, constituting a third (33%) of the sample, were identified as overweight based on their BMI. What's even more concerning is that 52 students, accounting for almost half (43%) of the sample, fell into the obese category. This study highlights the pressing issue of obesity among school students in Tarn Taran, Punjab. The findings underscore the need for urgent interventions to address this growing health concern, particularly among young individuals. Implementing strategies to promote healthier dietary choices, increased physical activity, and better lifestyle habits is imperative to mitigate the risks associated with obesity and its related health complications in this population. Further research and public health initiatives are warranted to combat the obesity epidemic among children, teenagers, and young adults in the region.