Occurrence of Iron Deficiency Anemia between over Weight and Normal Weight Adolescents in Selected Schools in Udupi District

Background : Overweight has become one of the common health concerns. A few studies have noted a possible association between iron-deficiency anemia and overweight. As many as 3crore Indians are overweight, and obesity continues rise, says statistics revealed by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2010), Around 20% of school-going children are overweight. Materials and Methods: In this study survey research approach and comparative descriptive design was adopted. The sample size was 300 adolescents. 300 adolescents were selected by convenient sampling technique, out of which 225 were normal weight adolescents and remaining. Among 225 normal weight adolescents 50 adolescents were selected by simple random sampling technique (lottery method) and out of 75 overweight adolescents, 50 overweight adolescents were selected by convenient sampling technique. Initially BMI identified, Talliquis method was used for identifying the anemia. Peripheral smear test used for identifying the iron deficiency anaemia. Results : The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result shows that out of 300 adolescents75 (25%) of adolescents were overweight. Out of 100 children (50+50) 19(38%) were anemic in adolescents with overweight and seven (14%) were anemic in adolescents with normal weight. There is no significant difference in occurrence of anemia between overweight and normal weight adolescence. Interpretation and conclusion : The findings of the study indicates that majority of the overweight adolescents were anemic compare to normal-weight adolescents. There is no association between the occurrence of anemia and demographic variables like age, food habits, physical activity, menstrual problems etc.