Knowledge on Prevention of Obesity among the Students from Selected High Schools

The study was conducted to assess the existing knowledge regarding prevention of obesity among school children in selected schools of Miraj, Sangli and Kupwad corporation area, Maharashtra. Methodology The researcher has adopted the Quantitative research approach. Exploratory Descriptive designwas used. The study was conducted at the selected area of Sangli, Miraj and Kupwad corporation area which includes Alphonsa School, Miraj and New English School Miraj for the study. The samples were students studying in high schools of Sangli, Miraj and Kupwad corporation area. The sample size selected for this study was 160. The simple random sampling method was used. FINDINGS Out of 208 subjects, 112 (58.3 %) were male. It was observed that majority of subjects 173 (83.2 %) resided in urban area. It is seen that 152 (78 %) subjects belonged to nuclear family and 97 (46.6 %) family income was less than Rs 10, 000/- per month. Among the samples, 123 (59.1 %) preferred non-vegetarian type of diet. The study also revealed that most of the mother had collegiate education 102 (49 %) and 163 (78.3 %) were housewife. Majority of father had collegiate education 123 (59 %) and 109 (52.4 %) were into service. The subjects (82.21 %) who correctly responded to the items regarding meaning of obesity, (55.76 %) regarding appearance of obese person, (46.63 %) factors contributing to obesity, 14.9 % knew the type of diet contributing to obesity and (12.01 %) knew the highest fat containing food item. Majority (91.34 %) students performed exercise and (62.5 %) responded correctly to the form of work which reduces obesity (62.01 %) related to psychological effect seen. Only (17.3 %) of the subjects answered correctly to the item related to effective prevention of obesity, 33.17 % of subjects knew how obesity affected the body. The study revealed that (63.46 %) of the subjects had knowledge about measures needed to treat obesity There was statistically significant association between knowledge score and fathers occupation, between knowledge score and obesity of parents.