Causes of obesity in school going adolescent girls

A random sample of 1000 female subjects of 15–16 years of age from 10 public schools of Ludhiana city was selected to study the prevalence of obesity among this group. A sub-sample of 50 obese (BMI ≥ 85^th percentile of age) and 50 non-obese (BMI ≤ 5^th to 85^th percentile of age) was selected to study the determinants of obesity among school going adolescent girls. General information, anthropometric measurements, life style pattern, dietary intake and food habits were recorded. The prevalence of obesity was found to be 14.8% and heredity played no role. Results revealed a high consumption of refined cereals, milk and milk products, high calorie snacks and non-vegetarian foods contributed to obesity. Faulty dietary habits like snacking in between meals, eating out, irregular meals and low intake of fibre rich foods was found to be a major cause of weight gain among subjects. A significantly lesser time spent by obese on walking and non-obese subjects on playing computer games was observed. Low physical activity coupled with higher intake of high calorie foods was main cause of obesity in adolescent girls.