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, Kumar B, Patil M and Jayashri MN

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.

Keywords

Overweight; Obesity; School going adolescents; Cross sectional study; BMI; Waist circumference

Introduction

Overweight refers to excess body weight for height, while obesity denotes excessive body fat, as defined by the International Obesity Task Force. Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease that impairs health and increases morbidity and mortality in children and adults. It typically results from an imbalance between calorie intake and physical activity but is also influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors [1]. In some cases, it stems from single causes like medications or genetic syndromes.

Obesogenic environments-marked by limited access to healthy food, safe physical activity, and weak healthcare systems-worsen the obesity epidemic at both individual and population levels.

Childhood overweight and obesity often lead to adult obesity and are linked to various health issues, including non-communicable diseases, respiratory problems, mental health concerns, and psychosocial consequences like stigma and reduced quality of life.

BMI-for-age nomograms, adjusted for age and gender, are widely used in clinical and public health contexts [2,3]. The WHO defines overweight in children aged 5–19 as BMI-for-age >1 SD above the median, and obesity as >2 SD [4].

India faces a “Double Burden of Malnutrition,” with under nutrition and obesity often coexisting [5]. Children in low-and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable. Addressing Pediatric obesity requires early, coordinated action from families, communities, and policymakers.

For Full length manuscript Please go through this Link: https://www.pubtexto.com/pdf/?prevalence-and-risk-factors-associated-with-development-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-adolescents-in-the-post-covid19-pandemic-scen