Rehman T, Rizvi Z, Siddiqui U, Ahmad S, Sophie A, Siddiqui M, Saeed O, Kizilbash Q, Shaikh A, Lakhani A, Shakoor A.
Obesity in adolescents of Pakistan.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;53(7):315-9.

Objective: To elucidate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Karachi`s school going teenagers regarding healthy eating and body weight and to determine the extent of obesity in these individuals by measuring their Body Mass Index (BMI). Setting: Tenth grade O` level students from six schools in Karachi. Method: A cross sectional study design with a convenience sample of students who were provided with a selfadministered questionnaire. In order to compute BMI, the height and weight of each student was measured after completion of the questionnaire. Results: Seventeen percent students were underweight (below the 5th percentile), 65% were normal weight (5th to 85th percentile) and 18% were overweight (above the 85th percentile). Regarding knowledge about health problems arising due to being overweight, 90% knew being overweight was harmful to health. When asked about what one can do to lose weight, 96% listed exercise among their answers. The results also showed that underweight people were more likely to have 1 or more snacks daily, whereas overweight respondents were less likely to snack between meals. (OR 0.2, p-value <0.01). Conclusion: Given the prevalence of overweight individuals, it is important that work be done with regard to tackling this health issue, which is of significant consequence in the long term. Emphasis should be on promoting low intensity long duration physical activity that can be conveniently incorporated into daily life. There is a need for more based studies be conducted in schools and in the general population so as to establish guidelines on nutrition and weight status for the Pakistani people (JPMA 53:315;2003).

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