Obesity and Age Trend among Rural Adults of Daspur I Block, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal Volume 5 - Issue 1

Mahua Chanak and Kaushik Bose*

• Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, India

Received:August 03, 2021   Published: August 23, 2021

Corresponding author:Kaushik Bose, Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India

DOI: 10.32474/JAAS.2021.05.000202

Abstract PDF

To view the Full Article   Peer-reviewed Article PDF

Abstract

Background: Obesity is considered a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. Excess weight is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and it is increasing substantially worldwide. Once considered a high-income country problem, obesity and overweight are now on the rise in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of the present study was to know the prevalence of overall obesity (BMI≥25.0) and central obesity among rural adults. The present study investigated the effect of different age groups (years) on the anthropometric and derived variables and also determined the age trend on obesity among rural adults of Daspur I block, Paschim Medinipur.

Materials and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 805 rural adults (Males=396; Females=409) of Daspur I block, Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, from August to December 2019.

Results: In the present study, the total prevalence of overall obesity was 22.4% (19.7% in males and 24.9% in females). The prevalence of central obesity was 45.3% (based on waist circumference), 73.8% (based on waist hip ratio), 65.1% (based on waist height ratio) and 72.3% (based on conicity index) among both sexes. The prevalence of both overall obesity and central obesity was much higher in case of female participants. Obesity (both) was more among females in the age group 31-49 (years) but among males it was ≥50 (years).

Conclusion: Our study revealed a high prevalence of central obesity among rural adults. In overall, the risk of obesity was greater in females. There was a significant association between age and being obese.

Keywords: Obesity; Central Obesity; Rural Adults; Age Group; Waist Circumference; Waist Hip Ratio; Waist Height Ratio; Conicity Index

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results| Discussion| Conclusion| Acknowledgements| Statement of Conflict| Authors Contributions| References|