ABSTRACT
Factors related to weight status of Bahraini adults were studied. A cross-sectional survey on 514 Bahraini adults aged 30.79 years was carried out using multistage sampling technique. Body mass index was used as an indicator for measuring obesity. The subjects were classified into non-obese [BMI<25], overweight [BMI 25-29.9] and obese [BMI>30]. There was a significant difference in mean BMI between men and women in all factors studied. Younger people [30-49 years], with higher education, non-smokers, those with history of hypertension, and those who watched television daily had higher mean BMI. There was a significant difference between weight status and age [p<0.005], sex [p<0.0001], education [p<0.04], smoking [p<0.0001], hypertension [p<0.001], diabetes [p<0.001], and watching television [p<0.03]. The results suggest that the health authority in the country should establish a programme to prevent and control obesity, taking into consideration several social, dietary and health factors
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Body Weight , Adult , Life Style , HypertensionABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate factors associated with obesity in patients attending out-patient clinics in Qatar. Patients aged 20 years and over who attended the out-patient clinics between 8 a.m. to 12p.m. for the period of one week were interviewed [457 patients]. Of these patients only 346 had their weight and height recorded, and therefore were included in the study. There was no significant association between factors studied and obesity. However, using logistic regression, it was found that the risk of obesity was higher among older people [odd ratio, OR=1.56] female [OR=1.74], married [OR=1.20] and those who watched television more than two hours a day [OR=1.22]. People with a history of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases were also more prone to be obese. The findings revealed that obesity is caused by interaction between social and lifestyle factors