Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among College Going Students at Kancheepuram Town, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Background: Obesity is the growing concern in developing countries because of its association with many noncommunicable diseases. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is escalating in all the age groups in India. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted among college going students to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: This study was done as a community based cross-sectional study among college going students near Kancheepuram Town. The study participants were randomly selected from nearby colleges. Data collection were done using preformed questionnaire and the obesity measures were obtained from all the study participants after getting the informed consent. Results: In total, 606 study participants were interviewed and the prevalence of overweight and obesity 11.7% and 21.5% according to WHO guidelines. The risk factors associated with overweight and obesity was male gender, urban residents, higher socio-economic status, and family history of obesity, inadequate physical activity, and dietary patterns. The less time spent in physical activities and more time spent sedentary activities were highly significantly associated with obesity. Conclusion: The presence study had explored that the most important age group of 18-24 years were overweight and obese with well-documented significant association with risk factors.