European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and Non communicable diseases have become the emerging pandemic of the 21st century and this has been because of the changes in the life style that has happened over the past three to four decades because of the modernization and cultural changes in the past few years. Obesity is an important risk factor for development of metabolic syndrome and other non communicable disease. Healthy life style practices play an important role in prevention and control of the Non communicable diseases. Awareness about the disease & healthy lifestyle practices is the first step in prevention and management of NCDs. This study was taken up to assess the awareness about obesity and healthy lifestyle practices among school students in sub urban parts of Chennai. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2019 to November 2019 among 244 school students of class 10 to class 12 in and around Saveetha medical college, by interview method using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire.
Results: The study revealed that 105 (43.03%) knew the difference between obesity and overweight. 20 (8.2%) knew about the use of Body Mass Index for diagnosis of obesity. All the study participants knew about healthy lifestyle. 201 (82.3%) knew that healthy lifestyle includes balanced diet & regular physical activity.
Conclusion: Awareness regarding obesity was poor. While the students knew about some healthy lifestyle practices and their knowledge on the whole was inadequate