BODY MASS STATUS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN OF DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTAN
Abstract
Background: Childhood obesity is a global epidemic involving both developed and developingcountries. It is a stare of over-nutrition with long term complications such as dyslipidemia,hypertension, and coronary artery disease and type-2 diabetes. Underweight is the result of undernutrition leading to reduction in growth and development of every body organ especially theCentral Nervous System. Long term under-nutrition causes failure in linear growth (height) of thechild. Growth is further retarded by the repeated attacks of respiratory infections, diarrhea andanemia as a result of reduced immunity. Methods: This study was carried out eight primaryschools of Dera Ismail Khan (Private, semi government organizations, and welfare foundations)having mixed population with some of the wards belonging to high socioeconomic group.Thorough clinical examination excluded those suffering from chronic heath problems. Height andweight of each one was taken body mass index of determined according to ‘Quatelet’s’ index.Body mass index number was plotted on the CDC S age and gender specific growth charts 2–20years for BMI-for age percentile and body mass status (underweight, normal weight, overweight/atthe risk of overweight and obese/overweight. Results: Total 1338 school going children (6–11years) were examined with 865 (67.75%) boys and 471 (35.25%) as girls. 13.39%, 72.15%,8.83% and 5.61% as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese respectively. Percentageof underweight was higher in girls (25%) than boys (13.22). Percentage of obesity was higher(5.17%) in boys than girls (1.39%). Conclusion: Awareness about balanced diet, improvement inthe level of education and socioeconomic conditions, easy access to health facilities and preventionof the gender discrimination, are the remedial measures to be taken to redress the situation.Keywords: Children, Height, Weight, Body mass index.References
Vashisht RN, Krishan K, Devlal S.. Physical growth and nutritional
status of Garhwali girls. Indian J Pediatric 2005;72:573–8.
Shay SD. Ministry of food New Delhi India. World Bank FAO
corporate Document and assessment of food deprivation and under
nutrition. Originated by economic and social department Part IV
User’s perspective on national level. 2005.
Kumar P, Clark M Clinical Medicine. 5th edition. London: WB
Saunders, 2004; p 224.
Moran R. The evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity. Am
Fam Physician 1999;59:861–8, 871–73.
Gordon MW. Contemporary nutrition. Issues and Insights. Higher
Education 5th edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 2003;p. 369–504.
World Health Organization. Adolescents In: Physical status: the use
and interpretation of anthropometry. Technical Report Series No.854.
Report of a WHO Expert Committee, Geneva 1995;263–309.
Roche EF. Childhood obesity. Why should we be worried? Ir Med
J 2003;96(4):100–2.
Slyper AH. Childhood Obesity, Adipose Tissue Distribution, and
the Pediatric Practitioner. Pediatrics 1998;102(1):e4.
Mclennan J. Obesity in children. Tackling a growing problem.
Australian Family Physician 2004;33(1-2):33–6.
Kumari K. Health and nutritional status of school children in Patna
(India). Health Popul Perspect Issues 2005; 28(1):17–25.
Moy FM, Gan CY, Zaleha MK. Body mass status of school
children and adolescent in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Asia Pac J Clin
Nutr 2004;13:324–9.
Monir Z, Koura A, Erfan M, Abd El-Aziz A, Mansour M.
Anthropometric parameters in Relation to Nutritional Status in
School children. Egypt Med J NRC, 2004;5(7):15–39.
Freedman DS, Kettel Khan L, Serdula MK, Ogden CL, Dietz WH.
Racial and ethnic differences in secular trends in chilhood BMI,
weight and height. Obesity 2006;14:301–8.
Ogden CL, Caroll MD, Curtin RL, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ,
Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesityin United
States.1999-2004.JAMA 2006;295:1549–55.
Al-Isa AWN, Thalib L. Body mass index of Kuwaiti children aged
-9 years: reference percentiles and curves. J R Soc Promot Health
;126(1):41–6.
Tee ES Obesity in Asia, prevalence and issues in assessment
methodologies. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2002;11(Suppl 8):S694–S701.