ABSTRACT
Background: BMI is commonly used to classify obesity in adults. WC and WHR are considered as ac-ceptable measures of obesity. However in community settings these can be a time-consuming method. Instead, Neck circumference (NC) can be used to screen for obesity. Methodology: A cross sectional study among 310 study participants in rural field practice area of Karwar Medical College. Data was collected using pre designed semi structured questionnaire and an-thropometric measurements as per standard guidelines. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation. NC cut off values were obtained from ROC. Results: In our study, the correlation of NC with BMI was highly correlated among both males(r=0.529), and females (r=0.565). Kappa statistics depicted moderate agreement with BMI males (κ = 0.512); fe-males (κ = 0.496) and NC. The cut-off values obtained for NC using ROC curve for males (35.5cm) and females (31.5cm) were statically significant associated in comparison to BMI to determine obesity in both males (χ2 = 58.57, and females (χ2 = 21.54). Conclusion: This study concluded that men with NC ≥ 35.5 cm and females with NC ≥ 31.5 cm are to be considered obese.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including cancer. India revised the pictorial warnings on all tobacco products in 2018, but its impact on tobacco consumers after the revision is less studied. Aim and Objective: To assess the awareness of the revised pictorial warnings on tobacco products and the impact of it on tobacco consumers in a coastal town. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 31st March 2021 among 185 adult tobacco consumers in a coastal town in Karnataka after obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0 by descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Majority (95.7%) were males and 96.2% had seen the pictorial warning on the tobacco products. The commonly consumed tobacco products were panmasala (44.9%), gutka (38.9%), cigarette (31.4%) and bidi (15.1%). The mean age of initiation of consuming tobacco products was 24.8 years and mean duration of the habit was 17 years. Conclusions: A majority (96.2%) have seen the pictorial warnings on the tobacco products and significant predictors for reducing tobacco consumption were those who inferred the pictorial warnings as tobacco is injurious to health and cancerous