Obesity indicators in relation to dietary and biodemographic factors among married females

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to asses the relationship between obesity indicators [body mass index, BMI, and waist/hip, W/H, ratio], biodemographic and dietary factors among married females. It included 1477 non-pregnant women randomly selected from catchment areas of primary health care [PHC] facilities in five governorates [Cairo, Alexandria, Gharbia, Suez and Qena] in urban and rural areas. The sample was subjected to anthropometric measurements, food intake assessment compared with recommended dietary allowance [RDA] and determination of hematocrit level. The results revealed that obesity indicators [BMI, W/W ratio] were influenced by aging and urbanization. Dietary intake was increased with obesity, especially energy and protein. There was no association between intake of vitamin A and the obesity in terms of BMI. The consumption of vitamin C increased >/ 100% RDA with increasing grades of obesity. The percent of anemic mothers [hematocrit < 36] decreased with increasing grade of obesity. About 25% of underweight women were anemic and the percent decreased to 11.8% as the grade of obesity increased. The results emphasized the importance of dietary guidelines and nutrition education for prevention of obesity and promotion of reducing diet regimens. Further studies are needed to investigate risk factors associated with increased waist/hip ratio and its sequelae on morbidity and mortality