Author(s): Dr. Tuhina Vijay

Abstract:
In India overweight and obesity are now so common that they are replacing more traditional problems such as under nutrition and other infectious disease as the most significant causes of ill health. According to WHO in 1995, there were an estimated 200 million obese adults worldwide and another 18 million under 5 years children classified as overweight. Now childhood obesity is reaching alarming proportions with India reporting around 22% prevalence rate over the last 5 years in children and adolescents aged between 5-19 years. The study was a cross-sectional study. Study conducted in four schools from Purnea block of Purnea district. 120 girls in the age group 7-12 years were selected randomly. Anthropometric measurement of weight and height has done by using weighing scale and height scale. Respondent’s socio-demography, eating habit, physical activities and Knowledge about obesity and related factors were assessed by closed questions and opened questions. Near about three fourth (72.50%) of parents were illiterate. It is clear from the data that near about half (47.50%) of the girl’s family earned below Rs. 5000. It was found that the 19.17% of the girls were obese while 25.83% of the girls were overweight. Study finding revealed that there was no significant relationship was found between nutrition knowledge of the girls and their obese status. A strong association between physical activities of the girls and their obese status was found in present study.