Estimation of body mass index in daquq district

ABSTRACT

Belgian astronomer Quetelet observed in 1869 that among adults of normal body mass, weight was proportional to the square of height. In 1972 Keys and colleagues made a similar observation and named it body mass index [BMI]. This index is a measurement of choice for most physicians and researchers. A BMI between 20-25 kg/m[2] is regarded as a good weight for most individuals. Overweight is defined as BMI above 25 kg/ m[2] and obesity defined as BMI above 30 kg/ m[2]. BMI less than 20 kg/m[2] is considered as insufficient weight. Is to learn the trends and extent of the overweight, obesity and to examine the nutritional state of the community. We also wanted to estimate the prevalence of obesity, malnutrition and study the association of high BMI with diabetes, hypertension and a family history of hypertension and diabetes. Additionally we wanted to study the association of BMI estimation with dietary habits, smoking, physical activity, ethnicity, educational status and other factors.Is a community based cross-sectional study, in the period 1st to 31st of August, 2003, 17 clusters had been chosen from Daquq town and its villages, including 89 families and 424 persons above 13 years of age. We measured the weight and the height of the subjects and calculated the BMI of each subject, A self-determined questionnaire had also been answered by the subjects. We found that obesity is more prevalent among females of all age groups, e.g. 50% of females above 64 years of age have a BMI of > 30 in comparison with males 16% for same age group. Also rural subjects have higher BMI than urban subjects. Mean of BMI of married individuals [male 26.1, female 27.3] is higher than unmarried [male 22.7, female 23.3]. Housewives have a highest BMI [23% of them have BMI equal or more than 30] while students have the lowest BMI [1.6% have BMI equal or more than 30]. Illiterate people are more obese [22.6% of them have BMI equal or more than 30] than educated. There was no negative relation between smoking and obesity, but ex-smokers were heavier than non-smokers and those who never smoked. Ethnic variation showed that mean BMI in Turkman was [25.7], in Kurds [24.7] and in Arabs [23.8]. Diabetic and hypertensive people have a higher BMI. 67% of diabetic and 42.5% of hypertensive patients have BMI equal or more than 30. Those with a family history of these two diseases also have a higher BMI than others. Regarding dietary habits, the BMI increased by increase in the consumption of bread. This study showed that high BMI and obesity are more common among females, rural people, married, illiterate, housewives, diabetic, hypertensive, those with a family history of diabetes and hypertension, and those with a high bread consumption, and we recommend that care and attention should be taken toward risk groups and encouraging awareness in people about their weight and physical fitness