[Prevalence of obesity and its association with demographic indices in referents to University Jahad Khozestan Clinic]

ABSTRACT

The studies represent the alarming global epidemic of obesity. The aim of this study was to determine association between obesity and demographic indices in over 18-years old referents to University Jahad Clinic. Subjects were 252 adult referents to clinic from Mar. 2009 to Sep. 2009. Participants including 68 males [26.9%] and 184 females [73.1%] had an average age 33.43 +/- 13.56 years. Anthropometric measurements [height and weight] were obtained according to standard protocol. The body mass index [BMI] was also measured. Overweight and obesity were defined according to BMI =25 - 29.9 and BMI > 30, respectively. The ages of participant categorized to 3 groups 18-30, 31-50, 51-80 years old. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 17 using descriptive statistics, T-test and chi square. A prevalence of overweight and obesity were 30.7% and 33.6% respectively [32.6% and 34.9% female, 16.7% and 17.9% males]. The average BMI in females was significantly more than males [P= 0.0001]. The most prevalence of overweight and obesity were observed in 31-50 age group males and females with more than 51 years old [30.7%, 49.3%, respectively]. Twenty five percent of more than 51 years old males group and 57.9% of women in these age group were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in single participants were 22.6% and 14.2%, respectively and married were 32.4% and 39.5%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in more than 50 years old females group referring to clinic are high and the high risk age of obesity prevalence is 31-50 years old in adult males and females