Prevalence of overweight & obesity in adult urban women

Abstract

Background: Worldwide the prevalence of overweight  and obesity have become more than double since 1980. Developing countries experienced more dramatic rise in the prevalence of obesity in recent decades .Prevalence of obesity is increasing in all Indian population.Obesity is a major risk factor for many non-communicable diseases.

Aim & objective: To study the prevanence of overweight and obesity in adult females. To study various epidemiological factors associated with overweight & obesity.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted and 635 women were studied. Predesigned questionnaire was used to collect relevant socio-demographic information. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured using standard  techniques.Results: In study population prevalence of overweight was 17.17 % and obesity was 6.45 % ;while 38.26 % had central obesity. Obesity was significantly associated with age, socio-economic statys and physical activity.Conclusions: Prevalence of obesity  is increasing in India. This observation emphasizes large scale awareness campaign about obesity.

Keywords: Overweight ,Obesity ,Women .