Obesity and Weight Management

Biography

Biography: Momota Hena

Abstract

Overweight and obesity is a worldwide concern for its long term impact on health. In many low and middle income countries overweight-obesity as one of the vital risk factor of overweight and obesity. More frequently energy dense food consumption with lower physical activity can cause the risk of overweight and obesity. Though the challenge of solving under-nutrition problems remains in the country, the issue of overweight and obesity keeps rising alongside. A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted during July, 2014 in Chittagong district of Bangladesh among 1040 adolescents from both rural and urban areas. The study was approved by AUWIRB (Asian University for Women Institutional Review Board). The participants were selected only from classes 8, 9 and 10 from every school as the target group was adolescents. Both male and female participants were included from all six schools. Questionnaires in hard copies were given and while returning each student’s questionnaire, their height and weight was measured and recorded by the researchers. The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity is 15.43% in Chittagong. Higher food consumption, less physical activity and higher sedentary behaviors are not associated with overweight and obesity. However, a higher percentage of sedentary behavior is observed. Interventions should be aimed at educating children and their parents as well about nutritional food, importance of physical activity and appropriate BMI range for age and sex.