Childhood Obesity and Its Association with Dietary Patterns and Food Behavior: A Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Chennai

Background: Childhood obesity has emerged as a global public health issue of great importance.It impacts people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, regardless of their age, gender, or race. For prevention and management methods to be effective, it is crucial to comprehend the food behavior and dietary patterns of obese children.

Objective: To analyze the dietary patterns and food behavior of children with obesity attending a tertiary care center in Chennai.

Methods: Children with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above the 95th percentile attending the outpatient department between 1st July 2025 and 30th September 2025 were enrolled in the study. Baseline characteristics, including anthropometric measurements, 24-hour dietary recall, and food frequency data, were collected using an interview schedule administered by a dietitian. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 to assess the association between eating patterns and obesity.

Results: A total of 72 children aged 6–17 years were included in the study. Among them, 41.6% were between 6–10 years and 58.3% were between 10–17 years of age. In the 10–12-year age group, 62.5% of children consumed calories above the recommended dietary intake, 20.8% met the recommended intake, and 16.7% consumed below the recommended level. Regarding fat intake, 57% consumed excess fat, 19.4% met their requirements, and 1.4% consumed less than the recommended amount. Obesity prevalence was significantly higher among children aged 10–15 years. Female participants were found to consume more calories than males, and this sex difference in dietary behavior was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that not all obese children consume excess calories;some meet or even fall below their dietary requirements. These results suggest that the emergence of obesity cannot be entirely explained by food trends alone. Childhood obesity has a complex etiology that includes genetic predisposition, bad lifestyle choices, psychological effects, and physical inactivity.

Dr. Sanjana is a graduate of Davao Medical School Foundation, Philippines, where she ranked among the top students in her college. With a strong interest in pediatrics and clinical nutrition research, she has contributed to scientific publications in the field of Pediatric nutrition and is committed to advancing evidence-based medical practice.