Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Development of Overweight and Obesity in Adolescents in the Post Covid-19 Pandemic Scenario – A Cross Sectional Study

Lakshmeswar A, Jayashri MN, Kumar B and Patil M

Published on: 2025-07-31

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and overweight among the pediatric population constitute a significant burden in both developed and developing countries and the prevalence has been increasing over the years, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school going urban adolescents and study the various risk factors associated.

Objectives:

Primary: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents from the ages of 11 to 18 years in the post pandemic era.

Secondary: To determine the association between various risk factors (socioeconomic status, parental literacy, diet patterns, and physical activity) and the development of obesity in adolescents.

Methodology:

  • Study design: Cross sectional school based institutional study H Study Setting: School Based Study.
  • Study period: 2 years (01-07-2022 – 31/06/2024)
  • Sample size: 520

Results: Overall combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 23.65%, with overweight constituting 15.57% and obesity 8.07%. BMI was found to be a more sensitive marker for the detection of overweight and obesity compared to waist circumference. Among the various risk factors studied, including family history, frequency of junk food intake, duration of physical activity and screen time per day, duration of sleep and body image perception, the negative body image perception was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 23.65%, with overweight being 15.57% and obesity 8.07%. Among the various risk factors studied, including family history, frequency of junk food intake, duration of physical activity and screen time per day, duration of sleep and body image perception, the negative body image perception was found to be statistically significant.