Abstract

Introduction: Non communicable diseases are increasing among adults in both developed and developing countries. Out of many chronic diseases obesity that condition which begins from childhood and leads to other chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Prevalence of obesity varies between the countries and ranges from 5% to 20%. So earlier detection of obesity and its risk factors in children is important to prevent the development of complications in adult life.
Objectives: To Estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with obesity among adolescents.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted for a period of 3months from July to September 2015 among 13 to 16 years high school children in urban area of Shivamogga city. Sample size was calculated on relative precision method by taking prevalence as 5% and ԑ = 0.35 and sample size was found to be 596 which was rounded of to 600. Pretested semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection and anthropometric measurements were recorded as per the WHO guidelines.
Results: In the present study prevalence of overweight and obesity were found to be 7.67% and 5.83% respectively. The socioeconomic status, junk food intake, watching TV, playing video/mobile games were found to be statistically significant with the obesity.
Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was high among adolescents in urban area. Hence the study recommends school health education to adopt healthy life styles in order to reduce the development of obesity and prevent the future complications.

Key words: Obesity, non-communicable diseases, school children.