Assistant Professor, PG Department of Zoology, DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
Increasing trend in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has been documented over the last few years. The present study has analysed the association of obesity and type-2 diabetes in different religions.
Children and adolescents aged 10–19 years were selected randomly for questioning regarding the different aspects of epidemiology and their health examination was also done.
The study area constitutes basically people belonging to Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. Hindus and Sikhs form the bulk of population. It has been noticed that impaired glucose level, diabetic and overweight subjects were more in Hindus than other religions.
Cultural background and religious beliefs are so strongly associated that religion sometimes serves as an indicator of ethnic group. A great deal of interest in religious difference has been focused in the hope of discovering the degree of genetic homogeneity through inbreeding, preserved environmental consistency, difference in dietary habits etc. Further studies are required to justify the relationship of religions with obesity and its related disorders.
Obesity, overweight, religion, epidemiology
