Obesity among Reproductive Age Women in Rural Kerala: A Hidden Threat

Abstract

Background: Obesity is the most prevalent form of malnutrition. According to National Family Health Survey-3, Kerala ranks second among Indian states next to Punjab for overweight or obese. The research was conducted to study the prevalence of obesity among reproductive age women and its association with socio-demographic variables. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study. A sample of 650 reproductive age women (15-49 yrs) was selected through Cluster sampling method. Results: Mean age of the study population was 33.47 yrs with Standard Deviation (SD) of 8.11yrs. The prevalence of obesity based on BMI WHO classification for adult Asians was 47.5%.Factors like age, family history, type of physical activity, walking hours, menstrual pattern and number of children were significantly associated with obesity. Conclusions: Obesity is a major nutritional problem among reproductive age women in Kerala. Higher prevalence of obesity was seen among higher age group, low socio-economic group, housewives. Menstrual irregularities, normal delivery and higher parity were significantly associated with obesity.

Keywords

• Obesity
• Reproductive age
• BMI
• Bodt mass index