Desirable Factors for Maintaining Normal BMI of Urban Affluent Women of Delhi.

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to identify desirable social, familial, reproductive, dietary, and lifestyle factors for maintaining normal body mass index (BMI) of urban affl uent women (25-45 years) in Delhi, India. A total of 387 urban affl uent women with at least one living child participated in this cross-sectional study conducted from March 2008 to April 2010. Women were classifi ed into four BMI categories on the basis of World Health Organization (WHO; 2004) classifi cation for Asians. Signifi cant factors for maintaining normal BMI were Younger age, less parity, nuclear family, normal weight status of parents, postpartum weight gain between 2 and 3 kg, regularity in taking meals, fi xed meal size, self-perceived normal weight, and shorter sitting time and television viewing time. Multivariate regression analysis identifi ed fi ve determining factors for maintaining BMI, which are normal weight of father, self-perceived normal weight, fi xed meal size, sitting time less than 6 h/day, and television viewing time less than 1 h/day. By small lifestyle modifi cations, normal BMI can be maintained.