Socioeconomic Variables Associated with Level of Obesity and Prevalence of Other Diseases Among Children and Adolescents of Some Affluent Families of Bangladesh

Abstract

Child overweight and obesity are the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century worldwide , specially, in low and middle-income countries. It affects mostly the urban people [1,2]. The obesity for child and adolescents is measured by body mass index [BMI = weight in kg / (height in meter2] , where children having BMI above the 85th percentile are considered as overweight and those who have BMI above the 95th percentile are considered as obese [3]. The level of obesity is increasing at alarming rate. In a global study in 2016 it was estimated that over 41 million [1] children under the age 5 years were overweight. The prevalence of overweight in adolescents is defined by BMI + standard deviation of BMI and obesity for them is decided by BMI + 2 standard deviation [1]. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Child obesity can lead to life threating conditions including diabetes, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, liver disease, early puberty, eating disorders, skin infection, asthma and other respiratory problems [4]. The adolescent’s obesity leads to the problem of hepatitis, sleep aponia, and increased intercranial pressure [5].