Obesity & Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Muhammad Amjad

Abstract

Weight that is higher than the healthy weight for a given height is known as overweight or obese. Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered a screening tool for overweight or obesity. If BMI of a person is less than 18.5 it will be underweight range. If BMI is 18.5 to 25, it will be considered normal. If BMI is 25.0 to 30, it will be within overweight range and If BMI is 30.0 or higher, it will be within obese range. At an individual level, BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or the health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks. Factors such as food habits, family history, increased BMI, environmental conditions, etc. are responsible for the obesity in children. Issue of children obesity is world spread phenomenon. This study was conducted in two districts in Pakistan with sample size of 600 respondents. Schools were categorized as elite private schools, government schools and rural areas schools. The obtained data then was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariate to find the relative significance of independent variables in explaining dependent variable. The obesity of the children was affecting students’ academic performance, physical health and psychological health. A strong inverses relationship was found among sports facilities in schools, physical activities, participation in sport and obesity of the children. All possible measures should be taken by all concerned to address children obesity as this epidemic may make our future assets as sick and sluggish.