^^ERC;^ BAl.ANCE, PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS AND BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF OBESE CHILDREN
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Date
2012
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Abstract
Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in both developed and developing countries.
Reduced physical activity and inereased energy intake both have major contribution to the
establishment of childhood obesity. Psychological and social problems, increased plasma insulin,
I elevated blood lipid, lipoprolcins and blood pressure arc the various factors known to be associated
I with childhood obesity. Hence, the study was conducled to determine the energy balance, psychosocial
' problems and biochemical profile of scIccLcd obese children. Time utilization pattern of obese boys and
girls (n=64) was sliidicd to assess their physical activity and energy expenditure levels. The energy
balance was ealeulaietl by llnding the ditference in the energy intake and energy expenditure of the
children. Psychosocial and beliavioural adjustment problems faced by obese children at school and
home were studied fur both the boys and girls. Biochemical parameters namely blood glucose,
haemoglobin and lipid prolllc which included total cholesterol, scrum triglycerides, HDL, LDL and
VLDL eholeslerol were determined using standard pi'ocednres. Both boys and girls exhibited a positive
energy balance which was higlicr in obese boys than in obese girls. The mean total cholesterol level of
obese boys (158.3 mg dl) was within the normal range but in the case of obese girls the level (178.7
mg/dl) was found to be slightly higher than the normal. Overweight and obese children are likely to
develop lifestyle diseases like diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age which are
largely preventable. Slralegie.s aimed at retlucing caloric intake and increasing caloric expenditure
through regular exercise are necessary to meet the challenges.