A Descriptive Study to Assess the Prevalence of Obesity among women in an urban area of selected city

Abstract

Over the past two decades there has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of obesity throughout the world. India is facing the rapid rise in generalized and obesity among adolescents and adults. Obesity is important risk factors for non-communicable diseases. The WHO reported that the principal reason for this excess weight problem is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Increasing intake of foods high in energy and decreasing level of physical activity due to increasing urbanization, changing modes of transportation and sedentary working environments. Methods: A descriptive study was used to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity by calculating BMI among women in an urban area of selected city. Objectives: Assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity by calculating BMI among women. Associate BMI finding with their selected demographical variables and clinical variables among women. Sample size 50 was selected by using convenient sampling technique. Procedure: A self-preparing data collection technique was used in order to obtain data, measured physical characteristics such as height and weight. Result: Chi square test was used to find out the association of findings with their selected demographical variables and clinical variables among women. Out of 50 samples 15(30%) women are underweight, 10(20%) women’s having normal body weight, 10 (20%) women overweight and 15(30%) are obese. Demographic variables age, religion, education, occupation and socio-economic status not associated with obesity. Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight was high as compared to obesity in community area; the history of any other illness and medications was strongly associated with obesity. Obesity is the main cause of chronic illness and risk of being obese is increasing in women, so this study aims to identify the prevalence of generalized obesity among selected urban community people and identifying the influencing factors for the same.