Prevalence of Obesity among Teenagers of Rawalpindi/Islamabad
Background: Obesity is a key problem faced by the health care professionals across the world, and contributes in disease conditions. The literature supports that with the new advancements in technologies and lake of physical activity the obesity is become very common in human population in the world...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Faculty of Rehabilitation & Allied health sciences, Riphah International University
2013-11-01
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| Series: | Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/413 |
| Summary: | Background: Obesity is a key problem faced by the health care professionals across the world, and contributes in disease conditions. The literature supports that with the new advancements in technologies and lake of physical activity the obesity is become very common in human population in the world.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity in teenagers by measuring their body mass index (BMI) and to elucidate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Islamabad/Rawalpindi‟s teenagers regarding healthy eating, physical activity and life style.
Methodology: Cross sectional survey was done among 200 students of age between 13 to 19 years, in different schools, colleges and universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Data was collected through structured questionnaire related to their physical activity and diet plan. Data was analyzed through SPSS 20.
Results: According to the data analyzed, results show that 35% were underweight, 51% were normal, 12% were overweight and 2% were obese. Results also showed that 61.5% eat junk food most often, 28% eat fruits and vegetables, 9.5% eat dairy products and 1% eats other foods. Teenagers of age group 18-19 years had active lifestyle with normal BMI and participated in physical activities almost daily.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the current study suggests that increase in intake of fast foods could have a greater influence on the prevalence of overweight or obesity among teenagers but more physical activity incorporated into daily life and active lifestyle of teenagers; majority of teenagers have „normal‟ BMI. As participation in physical activities and active life style cause greater food consumption, therefore, leading to normal BMI.
Keywords: BMI, Obesity, Teenagers, Physical Activity, Lifestyle, Diet, |
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| ISSN: | 2226-9215 2410-888X |