Prevalence of Obesity and Its Influence on Physical Fitness and Energy Expenditure during Walking In Rural School-Children

Background: Recently childhood obesity has become common condition in children with widespread effect on other aspects of health too. Objectives: Report obesity prevalence and its influence on physical fitness and energy expenditure (EEI) during walking in rural schoolchildren. Methodology: 300 primary, secondary and higher-secondary school children in Changa village aged 5 to 18 years, both girls and boys were included in the study. Outcome measures used were: waist circumference (WC), waistheight ratio (WHtR), EEI and 6 minute walk test distance (6MWD). Results: Of 175 boys, obesity prevalence was 6.79% using WC and 4.51% using WHtR. Of 125 girls, obesity prevalence was 14.37% using WC and 13.21% using WHtR. - Conclusion: Prevalence of obesity was more in girls as compared to boys. High level of association between obesity and physical fitness in both genders. High association of obesity with EEI during walking amongst girls