A descriptive cross-sectional study on body weight and weight change in school going children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of body weight and weight change in school-going children over a two-year period. A total of 218 male and female students from Shemford Futuristic School in Bardhaman, aged 3 to 9 years, participated in the study. The sample consisted of 126 boys (57.80%) and 92 girls (42.20%). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for the selected students twice a year, total three measurements throughout the two-year study. After 12 months, the analysis revealed that among the same group of school children, 66.96% of boys, 30.77% of boys, and 2.27% of boys were classified as underweight, normal weight, and overweight, respectively. Among girls, the corresponding percentages were 65.76%, 28.79%, and 5.45% for underweight, normal weight, and overweight. After 24 months, the study found that 58.36% of boys, 38.24% of boys, and 3.4% of boys were underweight, normal weight, and overweight, respectively. For girls, the percentages were 55.44%, 34.78%, 7.61%, and 2.17% for underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. The results indicate a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among both boys and girls over the two-year period. These findings highlight the importance of addressing and preventing childhood obesity, as it has significant implications for the health and well-being of children. Further research and interventions are needed to combat this growing public health concern and promote healthy weight management in school-going children.