Effectiveness of Behaviour Change Communication on Reduction of Overweight and Obesity in Urban School, Bangalore Hemalatha1,*, Mangala S2, Mini J3, Subrahmanyam G4 1Asst Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, The Oxford Medical College and Research Centre 2Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre 3Asst Professor, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre 4Professor & HOD of, Community Medicine, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore, India *Corresponding author: Hemalatha, Asst Professor, The Oxford Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore. Email. ID: drhemalath@gmail.com, Mob.: 9449262124
Online published on 18 July, 2017. Abstract Background Overweight and obesity in children with their consequences has been as major public health problem worldwide. Prevention is only an indispensible strategy to tackle global epidemic of obesity. Schools are a primary focal point in educating children on proper nutrition, increased exercise, and an overall healthier lifestyle. Objectives 1. To assess prevalence of overweight and obesity and its determinants in an urban school, Bangalore. 2. To assess the effectiveness of Behaviour Change Communication [BCC] on reduction of overweight and obesity among these children. Materials and Method An interventional study using a simple random sampling method was conducted in an urban school, Bangalore city. A total of 596 children aged between 10–15 years were included in the study. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry and clinical examination. Intervention was done in the form of Nutrition education, and life style modification. Follow up was done by assessing BMI of these children once in 3 months for a period of one year. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity during initial assessment was 7.05% and 2.18% respectively. After intervention the prevalence of overweight was reduced to 6.37%, at the third and fourth quarterly, but obesity reduced to 2.01%, 1.51%, 1.17%, and 0.8% at first, second, third and fourth quarterly respectively. The reduction in BMI was statistically significant at second, third and fourth quarterly. Factors significantly associated with childhood obesity were frequency of snacks, lack of physical activity and duration of television viewing. Conclusion Nutrition education and life style modification sessions with continuous supervision by parents and teachers helps to overcome overweight and obesity. Top Keywords BMI, Educational intervention, Overweight, Obesity. Top |