Background: Growing burden of overweight and obesity along with its serious health complications including non-communicable diseases is increasing in children because of low levels of energy expenditure in the form of physical inactivity.

Objective: This study aimed at assessing levels of energy expenditure and its relationship with body mass index among children of Jammu region.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in school children of Jammu region. Energy expenditure levels were assessed using modified global physical activity questionnaire (version 2) and expressed in metabolic equivalents (MET-minutes per week) in different domains and classified into vigorous, moderate and low physical activity as per WHO recommendations for physical activity for the age group of 5-17 years. Anthropometric assessments and BMI percentiles obtained from WHO age and gender specific BMI charts.

Results: Of 230 children studied higher body mass index in the category of overweight and obesity was observed to be about 8%. About 10% of study participants reported low levels of energy expenditure in different domains (at school, during travel and recreational activities). This was observed more in females. 33% of those with higher body mass index were engaged in low levels of energy expenditure and were six times at higher risk (Chi-Square(1)=12.58, p-value<0.001).

Conclusion: Low levels of energy expenditure and sedentary behaviour contribute significantly to obesity in childhood. Therefore it is need of hour to create environment for adoption of healthy lifestyles including physical activity which should be promoted at all levels.

Keywords: Energy expenditure, Body Mass Index, Childhood.

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Dr Tauseef Nabi

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