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

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.