Socio-Economic, Demographic and Lifestyle Determinants of Overweight and Obesity among Adults of Northeast India

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are the accumulation of high body adiposity, which can have detrimental health effects and contribute to the development of numerous preventable non-communicable diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effect of socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle factors on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults belonging to the Rengma-Naga population of North-east India.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 826 Rengma-Naga individuals (males: 422; females: 404) aged 20-49 years from the Karbi Anglong District of Assam, using a two-stage stratified random sampling. The socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle variables were recorded using structured schedules. Height and weight were recorded and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using standard procedures and equation. The WHO (2000) cut-off points were utilized to assess the prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥23.00-24.99 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥25.00 kg/m2). The data were analysed using ANOVA, chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression analysis using SPSS (version 17.0).
RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 32.57% (males: 39.34%; females: 25.50%) and 10.77% (males: 9.95%; females: 11.63%), respectively. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that age groups (e.g., 40-49 years), education (≥9th standard), part-time occupation and monthly income (≥Rs.10000) were significantly associated with overweight and obesity (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Age, education occupation and income appear to have higher associations with overweight and obesity among adults. Suitable healthcare strategies and intervention programmes are needed for combating such prevalence in population.

KEYWORDS: Overweight, obesity, occupation, income, BMI, anthropometry, Northeast India