25Mar 2019

IMPORTANCE OF BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) IN SCHOOL CHILDREN.

  • Own High School Team, Al Warqaa, Dubai.
  • Abstract
  • References
  • Cite This Article as
  • Corresponding Author

Introduction: Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world. By creating awareness on obesity and its effects on health to students, we not only prevent many medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, but motivate the students to improve their overall health, which has an impact on their performance, personality development and self-confidence. Purpose: This study was conducted to create awareness and preventive health measures among students on Body Mass Index, and preventive measure for obesity through counseling students on healthy nutrition and the importance of physical activities. Methodology: BMI was done for all the students from grade 1 to grade 12(4,736 students from 5 to 18 years. 100 students volunteered to do the Healthy weight watch Programme with the consent of the parents. BMI=weight in kg/ (Height in meters)2. Results: Children enjoyed participating in the Health Awareness programme. 81 students have reduced weight by participating in the programme most of them feel it is due to increased physical activity, and change in food habits. Parental involvement was 64%. Students enjoy sports and other physical activity. Television watching and use of other gadgets is the other cause of sedentary lifestyle. Focusing on reducing time spent watching television and increasing time spent in physical activity may be successful means of preventing obesity Conclusion: By conducting the BMI for all the students in the schools every year, we will know to which group of students we should concentrate the health awareness programmes. A holistic approach for effective weight management and prevention of chronic diseases is important.


  1. Adolescent and School Health. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm
  2. M. (2012 July 6th).UAE the fifth most obese country in the world, Gulf News, July 6th 2012
  3. D?Souza & Ponce de Leon.J (2012 July 17) Obesity has psychological effects. Gulf News, July 17, 2012
  4. E. (2013 May 7th) UAE children more obese than US, with 30% in Abu Dhabi overweight. The National, May 7, 2013
  5. Borders, M. Jane (2009) Project Hero: A Goal-setting and Healthy Decision-Making Program, Academic journal article from Journal of School Health, Vol.79, No.5, May 2009
  6. Freudenberg N, Ruglis. J. (2007) Reframing school dropout as a public health issue. Prey Chronic Dis 2007; 4(4) http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/oct/07 0063.htm.
  7. Jago R, Baranowski T, Baranowski JC, Thompson D, Greaves KA (2005). BMI from 3-6 y of age is predicted by TV viewing and physical activity, not diet. Int J Obes (Lond).2005 Jun: 29 (6):557-64
  8. S &Narasimhan.V (2008). Impact of Breakfast pattern on the nutrient intake, physical, cognitive and academic performance of school children, Ind.J.Nutr.Dietet. (2008), 45, pp.54-62
  9. J, Frisvold. D, Meyerhoefer. C (2012) The Impact of Physical Education on Obesity among Elementary School Children, IZA DP No. 6807, August 2012
  10. E, Neyland.C (2005) Feasibility for measurement of physical activity and fitness levels in Arab female university students in the UAE; A pilot study, Emirates Medical Journal, 2005, 23(1):21-26.

[J. Thavamani MBBS, DGO, MBA, Medical Director, Sai Kiran, Baby Rajendran and Mohamed Fazl. (2019); IMPORTANCE OF BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) IN SCHOOL CHILDREN. Int. J. of Adv. Res. 7 (Mar). 1159-1166] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com


Dr J Thavamani


DOI:


Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/8750      
DOI URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/8750