RISK FACTORS ASSOCCIATED WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGED FEMALE IN ITAHARI SUB-METROPOLITIAN CITY

Abstract

Overweight and obesity is becoming one of the major public health problems in developing countries like Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among reproductive aged female of 18-49 years in Itahari sub-metropolitan city. Anthropometric measurement was used to determine Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR). Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. Chi-square test was used to establish the association between different variables under study. Weight, Height, waist and hip circumferences were measured to determine indicators related to overweight and obesity. The result of this study revealed that 31.5% of females were overweight and 12% of females were obese according to BMI classification. Similarly on the basis of waist circumference of females 48.0% were abdominally obese and on the basis of waist hip ratio 70.5% of females were abdominally obese. Here, mean BMI was found to be 24.7±4.6 kg/m², mean Waist circumference was found to be 85.9±12.2cm and mean Waist Hip Ratio of 0.9±0.07cm. This study shows that age, educational level, marital status, eat outside home, contraceptives, parity and junk food were found to be significantly associated (P<0.05) with BMI. Age, marital status, parity, Education, eat outside home, contraceptives, physical activity, drinking alcohol and Fast food were found to have significant association (P<0.05) with waist circumference. Similarly, age, marital status, parity, size of family, education, contraceptives, drinking alcohol, eat outside home and fast food were found to be significantly associated (P<0.05) with waist-to-hip ratio in the study. This study shows an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among reproductive aged females in Itahari. Thus, overweight and obesity should be viewed as a serious issue. Overall this study indicate that efforts should be made to address the problem of overweight and obesity, by addressing the factor associated with it and to minimize its consequences.