ABSTRACT
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in India as well as in Gujarat state. Recent research has suggested prominent role of indirect unconventional parameters influencing hunger and appetite. A cross sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of obesity and indirect determinants like pattern of caffeine products and alcohol consumption, depression status and levels of hunger-satiety amongst the non-obese and obese young bank employees of urban Baroda. Bank employees (595) were screened for anthropometric measurements. Pattern of caffeine products and alcohol consumption, depression and hunger-satiety were studied using a score card. Non-obese (100) and obese grade I (126) young bank employees (25-35 yrs) were selected for further study. Out of 595 subjects, 41% were obese (BMI >25) and 20% were overweight. Consumption pattern of caffeine products and alcohol showed that obese subjects consumed more alcohol (57%), cigarette (28%), tea (68%) and coffee (25%) (p<0.001). Depression was more pronounced in non-obese (20%) subjects. Obese subject reported significantly higher (p<0.001) scores for delayed satiety. A strong significant association (p<0.001) was observed between consumption pattern of caffeine products and alcohol, its degree of consumption, and satiety scores of obese subjects. The significant difference in consumption pattern of caffeine products and alcohol, satiety scores and depression between obese and non-obese subjects may have played a role in the higher prevalence of obesity in the Bank employees.