Does the Childhood Obesity Require Special Attention? A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity was once a disease of affluent countries but nowadays it is a burning issue in developing countries too. As it is a lifestyle disease, it increases manifold chances of the development of different non-communicable diseases in adult life. The study was conducted to assess the effects of different determinants of childhood obesity. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the effects of different determinants of childhood obesity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for six months among seventy-five pediatric out-patient attendees aged 5-18 years of a teaching hospital in West Bengal. Socio-demographic characteristics including physical activity levels were taken with a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory investigations, and carotid intima-medial thickness (CIMT) was measured with B-mode USG. Data were analyzed with SPSS software, version 22, Epi Info, and WHO Anthro plus software, version 1.0.4. Results: Statistically significant association between childhood overweight and obesity was found with exclusive breastfeeding, high lipid profile and blood sugar, physical inactivity, high liver function test, and CIMT values. Conclusions: The alarming increase in childhood overweight and obesity indicates the need for more comprehensive preventive interventions to avoid the pandemic of this impending non-communicable disease.