Sheetal Monga, MS, Health Science Department, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840, 562.985.8069, smonga@csulb.edu and Kumud Khanna, Phd, Institute Home Economics, University of Delhi, India, F-4 Hauz khas, New Delhi, India.

The global epidemic of obesity is one of the main public health problems in developed as well as developing countries. The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of obesity and related factors among school children in New Delhi, India. 1238 school children 7 to 9 years of age in six schools representing three different socio economic groups were screened for overweight and obesity by using NHANES III criteria. 6.22% of the children were found to be obese, 8.24% were overweight and 19.39% were underweight. The results marked a noticeable difference between the prevalence of obesity in upper middle-income group (10.28%) and lower middle-income group (0.48%). In the second phase of the study a sub sample of 60 subjects consisting of 30 obese children from the upper middle-income group formed the experimental group.30 children with normal weight (age, socio-economic group and gender matched) formed the control group. The 24-hour food intake revealed that the mean daily intake of energy, protein, fat and fiber was found to be significantly higher in the experimental group subjects with respect to Recommended Dietary Allowance for Indian children and the control group subjects. The food frequency data revealed that the experimental group subjects consumed more of fried and calorie dense food on a regular basis than the control group subjects. The results of 24 hour physical activity recall indicated that the experimental group subjects had less mean energy expenditure and subsequently were in significantly more positive energy balance than the control group. Hence, the family history, hyperactive fork (overeating) and hypoactive foot (physical inactivity) could be the major factors for the development of obesity in children.

Learning Objectives:

1.To screen school children between 7 to 9 years of age for the prevalence of overweight/obesity by using anthropometric measurements in New Delhi, India.
• To estimate difference in prevalence of underweight, overweight/obese in school children 7 to 9 years with respect to, gender and socioeconomic group.
• To study the dietary patterns of the obese children and compare with the normal weight children.
• To study the physical activity patterns of the obese children and compare with normal weight children.
• To study association between childhood obesity and hereditary factors.

Keywords: India, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.