Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity among Adolescents in Urban and Rural Areas of Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Introduction:

     Prevalence of overweight and obesity has been reported in developing countries, especially in urban populations. Prevalence of obesity increased from rural (12.8%) than in urban (14.6%) area and overweight in increased from rural (25.8%) than urban (26.3%) area in the age 14-16 years Surat, Gujarat. 

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of overweight/obesity among adolescents in urban and rural area of Madurai District, Tamil Nadu.

Methods: The study was carried out at the East Anna Nagar in Madurai District. Cross-sectional data were collected from November 2017 to December 2017. Anthropometric measurements were recorded among 123 school going adolescents, girls and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Multistage stratified random sampling design was employed. School going adolescents in the age group of 13-18 years who were studying 8 ^th -12 ^th standard were included. Area of residence was collected from the school register with the help of class teachers. 

Results: The overall prevalence rate of overweight/obese among adolescents in rural area was found to be 76 and the urban area was found to be 47. Majority of 81 respondents are female, remaining 42 respondents are male. The above table concludes that majority of female respondent are focused in the study area. It clearly shows that majority of 60 respondent forming belong to the age group of 12 to 14. Among 60 majority of 33 respondent forming are male and 27 respondent forming -are female in the chosen domain.

Conclusion: A prevalence of overweight/obesity was seen in both male and female adolescents. Hence, it is an urgent need for immediate and targeted preventive measures.