Does the Childhood Obesity Require Special Attention? A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Childhood overweight and obesity was once a disease of affluent countries but nowadays it is a burning issue in developing countries too. As it is a lifestyle disease, it increases manifold chances of the development of different non-communicable diseases in adult life. The study was conducted to assess the effects of different determinants of childhood obesity. 

The study was conducted to assess the effects of different determinants of childhood obesity.

A cross-sectional study was conducted for six months among seventy-five pediatric out-patient attendees aged 5-18 years of a teaching hospital in West Bengal. Socio-demographic characteristics including physical activity levels were taken with a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory investigations, and carotid intima-medial thickness (CIMT) was measured with B-mode USG. Data were analyzed with SPSS software, version 22, Epi Info, and WHO Anthro plus software, version 1.0.4. 

Statistically significant association between childhood overweight and obesity was found with exclusive breastfeeding, high lipid profile and blood sugar, physical inactivity, high liver function test, and CIMT values. 

The alarming increase in childhood overweight and obesity indicates the need for more comprehensive preventive interventions to avoid the pandemic of this impending non-communicable disease.