International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 7 Issue 2, March-April 2023 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

To Assess Knowledge Regarding

Obesity and its Prevention among Adolescents
Kanchan1, Rashmi Joshi2
1
Nursing Tutor, 2Assistant Professor,
1,2
Shri Guru Ram Rai University, College of Nursing Patel Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Kanchan |

Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and Rashmi Joshi "To Assess Knowledge
adolescents. It occurs when a child well above the normal weight for Regarding Obesity and its Prevention
his or her age and height. Obesity is particularly troubling because of among Adolescents"
extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that Published in
International Journal
were once confined to others such as diabetes, high blood pressure,
of Trend in
high cholesterol. Obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and Scientific Research
depression. and Development
(ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456- IJTSRD53991
The present research project is “A descriptive study to assess
knowledge regarding obesity and its prevention among 6470, Volume-7 |
Issue-2, April 2023, pp.272-275, URL:
adolescents at selected community area of Patel Nagar, Dehradun
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd53991.pdf
with a view to develop an informational booklet.”
The objectives of the present study are: Copyright © 2023 by author (s) and
1. To assess the knowledge regarding obesity and its prevention International Journal of Trend in
among adolescents. Scientific Research and Development
2. To find out the association between the level of knowledge of the Journal. This is an
Open Access article
adolescents regarding obesity at selected demographic variables.
distributed under the
3. To prepare and develop informational booklet on obesity and its terms of the Creative Commons
prevention. Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
60 samples were selected by convenient sampling technique and data (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
were collected using self-structured knowledge questionnaires.
KEYWORDS: Asses, Knowledge,
Result Obesity, Adolescents, Prevention
In study level of knowledge based on percentage regarding obesity
score depicts that 80% adolescents had moderate knowledge, 7% had
adequate knowledge and 13% had inadequate level of knowledge
regarding obesity and its prevention.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the study was 80% of adolescents were having
moderate knowledge, 7% having adequate knowledge and 13% were
having inadequate knowledge.

INTRODUCTION
Obesity is a condition of abnormal or excessive fat Body Mass Index (BMI – calculated by dividing body
accumulation in adipose tissue to that extent that weight (kilograms) by height (meter squared), the
health may be impaired. It is most common prevalence of overweight (adult BMI of between 25
nutritional disturbance of children and one of the and 29.9) and obesity (BMI of 30 or over) is
most challenging contemporary health problems at all increasing. For children, these BMI standards require
ages. Obesity is not a single disorder but a adjustments for age and gender.
heterogeneous group of condition with multiple
Overweight and obesity are global problems and the
causes.
World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by
Overweight and obesity are increasing problems that 2015 approximately 2.3 billion adults worldwide will
lead to significant health and social difficulties for be overweight and more than 700 million obese. In
people. Commonly defined by a measurement of the UK, obesity rates have nearly doubled in the past

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD53991 | Volume – 7 | Issue – 2 | March-April 2023 Page 272
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
18 years from 13% of men and 16% of women in taking certain medications. But societal and
1993, to 24% of men and 26% of women in 2011. In community factors also matter: child care and school
the same year, about 3 in 10 children aged 2–15 years environments, neighbourhood design, access to
were found to be overweight or obese. healthy, affordable foods and beverages, and access
India has the second highest number of obese children to safe and convenient places for physical activity
in the after US and China, according to a study, which affect our ability to make healthy choices.
means that 14.4 million kids in country have excess PURPOSE
weight. According to the study, a total of 56 per 1000 The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge
children die before their 5th birthday and 47.9% of regarding obesity and its prevention among
children under the age of five are stunted. The project adolescents.
highlights the global challenge represented by the
double burden of under nutrition and overweight and OBJECTIVES
obesity. 1. To assess the level of knowledge regarding
obesity and its prevention among adolescents.
Obesity is also more common among certain
2. To find out association between level of
populations. Obesity prevalence was 25.6% among
knowledge and socio demographic variables.
Hispanic children, 24.2% among non-Hispanic Black
children, 16.1% among non-Hispanic white children, MATERIALS & METHODS
and 8.7% among non-Hispanic Asian children. A quantitative research approach & Non-
Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects experimental descriptive research Design is used for
children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is this study. The population consisted of adolescents
well above the normal weight for his or her age and having strength of a selected community area of Patel
height. Over a past few years, childhood obesity is Nagar; Dehradun The sample size for the study was
increasing being observed with the changing lifestyle 60 children from Patel Nagar, Dehradun. Non-
of families with increased purchasing power, probability convenient sampling technique was used.
increasing hours of inactivity due to addiction to Structured knowledge questionnaires were used to
television, video games and computer, which have collect the data. Ethical clearance was done before
replaced outdoor games and other social activities. collecting the data. Before collecting the data the
informed consent was done & the data were analysed
Obesity is complex. Many factors can contribute to
by using descriptive statistics.
excess weight gain including behaviour, genetics and
RESULTS
Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of sample according to socio demographic variables
S. NO SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE%
1. AGE (YEARS)
10-12 years 0 0%
13-14 years 25 41.67%
15-16 years 35 58.33%
17-18 years 0 0%
2. Sex
Male 39 65%
Female 21 35%
3. Education of parents
8th pass 18 30%
10th pass 12 20%
12th pass 12 20%
Graduate 18 30%
4. Types of family
Nuclear 31 51.67%
Joint family 28 46.67%
Extended family 01 1.66%
5. Source of information
Television 19 31.67%
Internet 19 31.67%
Newspaper 15 25%
Others 7 11.66%

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD53991 | Volume – 7 | Issue – 2 | March-April 2023 Page 273
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
The table 1: Showed that the socio demographic variables details:-
According to their age group depict that 0% of the adolescents was in the age group 10-12 years. In the age
group of 13-14 years there were 41.67%, in the age group of 15-16 years there were 58.33% and in the age
group of 17-18 years they were 0% adolescent. Percentage wise distribution of adolescents.
Percentage wise distribution of adolescents according to their sex reveals that highest percentage 65% of them
was males. The lowest percentage 35% of them was females.
Percentage wise distribution of adolescents according to their parents education status reveals that the highest
percentage 30% of parents had 8th pass and graduate than 20% of parents had 10" pass and 12th pass.
Percentage wise distribution of adolescents according to their type of family reveals that highest percentage
51.67% of adolescents having nuclear family, whereas 46.67% joint family and 1.66% adolescents belongs to
extended family and 0% adolescents belongs to broken or divorced family.
Percentage wise distribution of adolescents according to source of information reveals that 31.67% gained
information through television and internet whereas 25% information gained from newspaper and 11.66% from
other sources.
Table no 2: Percentage wise distribution of adolescents to their level of knowledge.
N=60
Knowledge Level of Adolescents Frequency(f) Percentage (%)
Adequate 4 7%
Moderate 48 80%
Inadequate 8 13%
TABLE 2: Table no 2 showed the Percentage wise distribution of adolescents according to their knowledge
level reveals that highest percentage 80% adolescents had moderate knowledge and 7% had adequate knowledge
whereas 13% adolescents had inadequate knowledge.

PERCENTAGE OF ADOLESCENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR

KNOWLEDGE LEVEL
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Adequate Moderate Inadequate

Fig-1 Bar diagram showing percentage of adolescents according to their knowledge level.
Percentage wise distribution of adolescents according to their knowledge level reveals that highest percentage
80% of adolescents have moderate knowledge, whereas 7% of adolescents have adequate knowledge and rest
13% of adolescents have inadequate knowledge.
DISCUSSION Major findings of the study
SUMMARY The level of knowledge is based on percentage
The level of knowledge based on percentage regarding obesity score shows that 7% had adequate
regarding obesity score depicts that 80% adolescents level of knowledge, 80% had moderate level of
had moderate knowledge, 7% had adequate knowledge and 13% had inadequate level of
knowledge and 13% had inadequate level of knowledge.
knowledge regarding obesity and its prevention.

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD53991 | Volume – 7 | Issue – 2 | March-April 2023 Page 274
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Implications [6] Kumar S, Mahabalaraju DK. AnuroopaMS.
Nursing services education program can be conducted Prevalence of Obesity and its influencing
in the community in which special attention to be Factor among Affluent school Children of
given to obesity to create awareness among the Davangere City. Indian J Community Med
community people. 2007 Jan;32:1
Limitations [7] World Health Organization: Global prevalence
The study was limited only the adolescents age group and secular trends in obesity. In obesity
only. preventing and managing the Global Epidemic.
The study was limited only the community area of the Report of a WHO Consultation on Obesity,
Patel Nagar Dehradun, Uttrakahand. Geneva: WHO: 1998. p. 17-40.
[8] Jean Burley Moore, Lisa Renee Pawloski,
CONCLUSION
Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects Patricia Goldberger, Ana Stoehr, Hezbollah
children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is Baghi. The effect of Nutrition Education
well above the normal weight of his or her age and Programmed among 1-14 years school children.
height. USA. 2007:

Obesity is particularly troubling because the extra [9] Shah C, Diwan J, Rao P, Bhabhor M. Gokhle P,
pounds often start children and adolescents on the Mehta H. Assessment of obesity in school
path to health problems that were once confined to a children. India: 2008: Shah C et al Calicut
adult such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high Medical journal
cholesterol. Obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem [10] S. Koley, N. Kaur and J. Sandhu, Jugeshs et al.
and depression. Relationship of obesity with lumber range of
Based on the study it is concluded that the motion in school going children. Internet
adolescents are having moderate level of knowledge. journal of Biological Anthropology Amritsar:
2008.
REFERENCES
[1] Swaminathan, M. Principles of Nutrition and [11] M Premnath, H Asavanagowdappa, Ma Shekar.
Dietetics, 2nd ed. Bangalore, Barcop Prevalence of obesity and overweight among
school children aged 5-16 years. Mysore
[2] Bellizzi, M.C. Standard definition for (India): 2009 April
childhood overweight and obesity. Br. Med. J,
321: 1214-6. [12] Agra's WS. Hammer LD. Risk Factors for
childhood overweight J Pediatric. 2004 Jul.
[3] Sumitra Chakraborty. Childhood Obesity - A
Neglected Vital Issue. The Nursing Journal of [13] Dr S McMullan. Obesity and adult
India, 2009 Aug; 8: 34-8. cardiovascular disease risk. 2009 May.

[4] Katy Rugy. Childhood obesity. Nightingale [14] Sharma A. Sharma K. Problems encountered
Nursing times 2004 Jan 20; 23:28-30. due to childhood obesity. Public health
Nutrition. New Delhi: 2006 Mar
[5] Faith M. S. Kerns and Child feeding practices
and childhood obesity. Maternal child nutrition [15] Deepti Chaturvedi, Rajesh Khadgawat. Type2
2005; 3:164-8. Diabetes Increases Risk for Obesity among
Subsequent Generation. Diabetes Technology
and Therapeutics, 2009 May

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD53991 | Volume – 7 | Issue – 2 | March-April 2023 Page 275