Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight among Adults in a Rural Area in Trivandrum - A Cross Sectional Study

  • Anil S Bindhu Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation, Kerala, India
  • K Thankam Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation
  • Regi Jose Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation
  • PV Benny Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation
  • Nazeema Beevi Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation
  • Jeesha C Haran Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation
Keywords: Obesity, Overweight, Prevalence, Rural, Kerala

Abstract

Background: Obesity is an important modifiable risk factor for most chronic non-communicable diseases. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of overweight/ obesity among adults in Nellanadu Panchayath, a rural area in Trivandrum, Kerala.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 300 adults in Nellanadu panchayath, a rural area in Trivandrum, Kerala. Adults≥18 years are interviewed from the consecutive houses with the help of a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured using standard anthropometric methodology.
Results: Mean age of the study population was 47.58 years. Mean BMI among women was significantly higher (24.28), compared to men (23.2) with p = 0.012. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population was 24% and 40.7% respectively, as per WHO BMI guidelines for Asians. About 51% of women and 35% of men had high waist circumference. Higher proportion of women (77.7%) had high waist-hip-ratio compared to men (48.5%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among adults in rural areas in Trivandrum.

Author Biographies

Anil S Bindhu, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation, Kerala, India

Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine

K Thankam, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation

Professor, Department of Community Medicine

Regi Jose, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation

Professor, Department of Community Medicine

PV Benny, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Reseach Foundation

Professor, Department of Community Medicine

Nazeema Beevi, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine

Jeesha C Haran, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation

Professor, Department of Community Medicine

Published
2019-06-24
How to Cite
Bindhu, A., Thankam, K., Jose, R., Benny, P., Beevi, N., & Haran, J. (2019). Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight among Adults in a Rural Area in Trivandrum - A Cross Sectional Study. Kerala Medical Journal, 12(2), 31-34. https://doi.org/10.52314/kmj.2019.v12i2.556
Section
Original Research