To assess the prevalence and aetiology of overweight/obesity and to study the genetics of common obesity in school going children from Kashmir Valley.

Abstract

Background: Overweight or Obesity (OW/OB) in childhood lead to adult obesity. OW/OB among school children in Kashmir and the causes of the same need further study.

Objectives: (1) To study the prevalence of childhood OW/OB among school children in Kashmir and (2) to study the factors associated with the same.

Study Design: Part I of the study was questionnaire-based. Part II was a case-control design for factors associated with OW/OB and genotype – two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FTO (rs17817449) and LEPR gene (rs1137101).

Participants: Children of the age group between 6 to 19 years.

Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 6 selected schools in Kashmir during the period of 1.5 years. Demographic data and related risk factors for OW/OB were collected. Anthropometry was conducted among all the subjects and blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis. Children were recruited from the Endocrine OPD for part II of the study where samples were taken for genetic analysis.

Results: A total of 802 students (30.5%, male) participated in the study. The prevalence of OW was 9.6% and OB was 3.4% (WHO 2008 criteria) . Females were more OW/OB (14.7%) compared to males (9 %). There was no association of OW/OB status with the SNPs of FTO or LEPR genes in our population.

Conclusions: One out of ten children is OW/OB and the condition doesn’t appear to be associated with polymorphism in FTO or LEPR gene in the studied population.

Implications: Genome-wide studies are needed to look for genetic causes of common obesity in our population.