A Study to assess the knowledge of pre-university students regarding the factors

contributing to obesity in selected pre-university college, Bengaluru

Philip Sebastian
Page No. 1-20

First impressions are largely based on the appearance. Today everyone is fitness and beauty
conscious, regardless of age and sex. Trim is “in” and obese is “out”. Given this scenario, health
clubs, slimming clinics and crash diet courses have mushroomed. But obesity does not always
respond to the above which in addition to being expensive may not suite everyone. Obesity is an
abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. According to WHO at least
2.6 million people die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. It also states that obesity
is one of the today’s most neglected public health problems.The proportion of children and
adolescents who are overweight and obese are also been increasing. Being overweight or obese
during adolescents is a health concern. But can also lead to physical and mental health problems in
latter life such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, back pain, body image disturbance and
depression. Hence nurses have an important role in educating adolescents and children regarding
the prevention of obesity and its complications.