Effect of Educational Intervention on Improvement in Obesity Related Knowledge and Awareness among School Going Adolescents: A Questionnaire Study

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation and is considered as a complex, multifactorial chronic disease. AIM: To access the changes in knowledge of obesity following educational interventions among school going adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 157 school going adolescent students of two private schools. (78 from control school and 79 from intervention school). A pre-designed questionnaire was prepared which included ORK-10 (Obesity Risk Knowledge Questionnaire). An integrated educational package for obesity was prepared and used for educational intervention. After one year, data were collected to assess the changes in knowledge related to obesity. RESULTS: A significant increase was observed in the total score in the students of intervention school from baseline to one year follow up. A significant improvement in knowledge regarding factors related to obesity among the students of intervention group was also reported. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that educational intervention at regular intervals resulted in good outcomes of knowledge, attitude and awareness towards obesity.