摘要：To assess the risk factors for diabetes such as dietary habits, physical fitness score, physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and family history of diabetes amongst school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 children (ages 8-12 years), from middle-income families from two schools of Karachi. Data of physical fitness score was taken by a physical fitness test and BMI was calculated by measuring weight and height. Dietary records were taken by 24 hours self reported diet recall charts of two weekdays. Health knowledge was obtained by a questionnaire given to children and a separate questionnaire was given to mothers to get this information. Majority of the children took less healthy food from the choice given to them; according to the self reported dietary intake s, 88% had poor intake of vegetables, 84% had poor intake of milk while 80% had poor intake of fruits. More than 40% of the children consumed soft drinks and fast foods daily. A child on the average watched 2.9 hours of TV/per day on weekdays and 3.5 hours of TV of weekends. Physical fitness score of 45% of the children was unsatisfactory while 29% of children had BMI > 20 Kg/m2. Eighty four percent of the children had first or second degree relative with diabetes. Majority of the children had high risk factors for diabetes with unhealthy diet and low physical activity patterns augmented by strong family history of diabetes. This shows that these children are at increased risk of developing diabetes in later years and preventive measures are required early in life, including lifestyle and behavioral changes to save our future generations from developing diabetes. This information will help in designing interventions for better lifestyle and eating habits which may reduce the later incidence of diabetes in children at adulthood.
