Association between parental socioeconomic characteristics and overweight and obesity among adolescents

Adolescent overweight and obesity are rising global concerns, with prevalence increasing from 8 % in 1990 to 20 % in 2022. In India, adolescents constitute 21 % of the population and face growing risks of obesity-related complications. Parental education and occupation influence adolescents' dietary habits, physical activity, and lifestyle patterns, yet their role in shaping obesity outcomes in the Indian context remains underexplored. This study assessed the association between parental education and occupation with overweight and obesity among school-going adolescents in Lucknow.

Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 502 adolescents aged 10-19 years from government, government-aided, and private schools in urban and rural areas of Lucknow. Multistage sampling was used. BMI-for-age percentiles (CDC 2022) classified nutritional status. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive measures, chi-square tests, and logistic regression using SPSS v24, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Overweight and obesity were more prevalent among adolescents in private schools (18.5 and 12.5 %) and urban areas (16.8 and 12.5 %). Higher parental education showed significant associations with adolescent overweight/obesity (fathers: p=0.022; mothers: p=0.026). Maternal occupation was significantly linked to obesity (p=0.009), with adolescents of skilled working mothers showing highest rates. Logistic regression indicated that private school attendance (AOR=1.4; p=0.044) and upper socio-economic status (AOR=3.54; p=0.030) were independent predictors of overweight/obesity.

Parental education, maternal occupation, socio-economic status, and school type significantly influence adolescent overweight and obesity. Adolescents from higher-income families and private schools are at greater risk, underscoring the need for targeted interventions promoting healthy behaviours across diverse socio-economic groups.