Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in School-Going Children and its Association with Socioeconomic Status: A Cross-Sectional Study from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-going children aged 5–18 y and to evaluate its association with socioeconomic status, gender, school type, and lifestyle factors in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 220 school-going children (5–18 y) selected from two private and two government schools in Mathura, UP, using stratified random sampling. Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist circumference) were measured. BMI was classified using IAP growth charts, and SES was assessed using the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale (2026 update). Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis; p-value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Overall prevalence of overweight was 15.9% and obesity was 9.1%, giving a combined OW/OB rate of 25.0%. Underweight was found in 23.6% of children. A significant association was found between SES and BMI (p<0.001): Class I had 66.7% OW/OB and Class II had 56.0% OW/OB. Private school children showed significantly higher OW/OB (36.0%) compared to government school children (15.8%). Junk food, low physical activity, screen time>3 h/day, inadequate sleep, and positive family history were significantly associated with OW/OB. Conclusion: Childhood OW/OB is an emerging public health problem in Mathura, predominantly among higher SES groups, while undernutrition persists in lower SES groups, indicating a dual burden of malnutrition. Targeted school-based and community-level interventions are urgently needed.