title: Overweight and obesity among early adolescent school girls in urban area of west bengal, India: prevalence assessment using different reference standards.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overweight and obesity are epidemic and a 'public health crisis' among adolescents worldwide. The rising trends in adolescent obesity in girl are poorly documented in India. The aim of this study was to compare and assess the extent of overweight and obesity in early adolescent school girls using three references [World Health Organization (WHO) 2007; the Center for Diseases Control (CDC) 2000 and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) 2000].
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was designed in 1375 early adolescent girl (10-14 years), in five Government affiliated schools of Kharagpur Municipality of West Bengal, India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of this study are eloquent of the fact that the roots of obesity lies in early stage of adolescence. Incidence of overweight, including obesity of participants was 10.62%, 7.64% and 7.49% depending on the references used (WHO, CDC and IOTF) respectively. Both incidence and remission rates were higher among younger girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding the harmful ramifications of overweight and obesity, it is encourage to healthy eating patterns and increase physical activity among early adolescent girls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Medical Laboratory Science and Management, (U.G.C. Innovative Funded Department), Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India ; Rural Research Institute of Physiology and Applied Nutrition, 'Gitanjali', Dr. Nilay Paul Road, Midnapore, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Soumyajit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maiti
authors.forename: Debasis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De
authors.forename: Kazi Monjur
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Tushar Kanti
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Bera
authors.forename: Debidas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Shyamapada
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paul
keywords: Body mass index; West Bengal; early adolescent; obesity; overweight; school girl