A cross-sectional study to determine the risk indicators for obesity among adolescents in Mysuru

Background: Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern with long-term health risks. The rising prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents, influenced by biological, behavioural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, leads to a higher risk of obesity in adulthood and related lifestyle diseases. Early detection is critical as misconceptions by parents and educators delay intervention. Assessing psychological and lifestyle factors comprehensively is crucial for preventing childhood obesity and helping policymakers address its consequences in adulthood. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors that contribute to the development of obesity in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected two private schools in the Mysuru district using the lottery method among children aged 10–16 years, including obese and non-obese children studying. Data were collected on socio-demographics, eating habits, physical activity, and psychological factors from 126 students using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics for Socio-demographic characteristics, Chi-square test to find the association between risk factors and childhood obesity using IBM SPSS V.26 (licensed to JSSAHER) was used. Results: 65.1% were males, and 33.9% were females, constituting the obese/overweight group. The mean age was 13.1±1.7 years and 12.1±1.6 years among overweight/obese and non-obese groups, respectively. A significant association was found between eating habits, including the consumption of pulses, fruits, non-vegetarian food and beverages, decreased physical activity, low mental health, and obesity (p<0.05). Conclusions: Childhood obesity is linked to diet, physical activity, and psychological well-being. This calls for a multi-pronged approach to preventing it.