Lifestyle Health Risks Among Affluent School Children of Delhi

Changes in lifestyle and dietary pattern of people in developing nations make them susceptible to obesity associated with greater morbidity. The prevalence of obesity has increased in both developed and developing countries. A cross sectional study was conducted in private school in Delhi India. A total of 414 school children in the age group 7-9 years were studied Weight and height of each student was measured using standard measures and Body mass index (BMI) and waist to Hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Factors like family history of obesity, physical activity, duration of sleep etc were taken into consideration. Overweight and overall obesity was seen in 38.49 % boys and 34.8 % girls. Children who were overweight ad obese showed higher mean values for all the measurements, adiposity indices as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP).