AbstractBackground: The magnitude of overweight and obesity has been on the increasing trend among Indian children that range to 9 to 27.5% and 1 to 12.9% respectively. Enhanced obesity in adolescents induces morbidities like hypertension, respiratory dieses, diabetes mellitus, orthopedic disorders, heart diseases and cardiovascular risks and elevated serum lipid concentrations especially of VLDL and high LDL-C. Objective: The study focused on cardiovascular disease risk factors to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (pre-hypertension/hypertension, borderline-high/high LDL-C, low HDL-C, and pre-diabetes/diabetes) by weight status (normal weight, overweight, obese) and their trends among Indian adolescents aged between 12-19 yrs. Methodology: A school based cross sectional study was carried out in Raichur involving 200 students. Study subjects were selected by systemic random sampling method. With the help of preselected pro forma data regarding our study parameters were collected. The study was undertaken in the month of July and August. After getting detailed information and consent by the guardians of students, the blood sample was collected and sent to biochemistry department for analysis of lipid profile. Results: Out of 200 subjects, 24% each were from 12 to 13 and 14 to 15 years age group and 26% each from 16 to 17 and 18 to 19 years age group. Majority i.e. 56% was males and 44% were females. Distribution of study population according to BMI where 78% were normal, 10% were obese and 12% were overweight. Prevalence of hypertension was observed in 6% population where almost 11.5 % were from 18-19 years age group. Prevalence of diastolic hypertension was 2.5% and seen in males (3.6%). Diastolic hypertension seen in 2.5% and majority i.e. 3.8% were from 18-19 yrs age group. High level of triglycerides was observed in 2% of subjects which belongs from 18-19 yrs age. Comparison between male and female with respect to various study parameters revealed that mean age & mean LDL difference was observed statistically significant (<0.05) whereas in other variables the mean difference was not proved to be significant (>0.05). Conclusion: With this study we would like to place a take home message that the overweight and obesity is highly prevalent among adolescents. Among the overweight and obese it found that in few dyslipidemia and hypertension has already set in. hence we would suggest the late adolescents is the best time identify the adolescents with obesity and other risk factors and to adopt necessary life style modifications.
Keywords: Overweight; Hypertension; Orthopedic Disorders; Triglycerides.