Physicians' Perceptions about the Emergence of Adolescent Overweight in India

Abstract

Background: Overweight is increasing in developing countries even as underweight remains highly prevalent in some communities, leading to a double burden of malnutrition. This study explored physicians' perceptions about emergence of overweight and its clinical management in a socioeconomically developing region of India, where underweight constitutes to be a major health problem among children and adolescents. Objective:This study aimed to explore how physicians in the Vijayapura city, India are understanding and managing the emerging double burden of underweight and overweight in adolescents. Material and Methods: A semi structured questionnaire was developed consisting of 35 close-ended questions about causes of obesity, gender differences, and treatment practices and three open-ended questions about the perceived main reasons for obesity .One question ranked various reasons for emergence of adolescent obesity. Twenty- ve physicians participated in the survey. Results: Physicians treated more adolescents for underweight than overweight; however, most said overweight had increased over the past 5 years (72%) while underweight had been steady or decreased (80%). Most desired more training on treating patients for overweight (92%) and under-nutrition (60%). Most agreed that urban dwelling (72%), high socioeconomic status (72%), male gender (84%) and parental obesity (80%) were risk factors for obesity. Almost all discussed eating habits (100%) and activity levels (80%), and two-thirds ranked environmental factors, like urbanization, globalization, and technology, as most inuential. Conclusion: Physicians indicated that while the predominant problem among adolescents in this part of India is underweight, overweight is increasing due to various environmental, socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioral factors.

Keywords

• Adolescents
• Developing Countries
• Health Care Professionals
• India
• Obesity
• Overweight
• Physicians