Socio-demographic correlates of overweight and obesity in an adult population of urban Meerut

Background: Obesity has been increasing in both developed and developing countries.Internationally 39% of adults aged 18 years and older (38% men & 40% women) were overweight in2014. The worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly doubled between 1980 and 2014. In 2014, 11% ofall men and 15% of all women worldwide were obese. Objectives: To find out in an urban populationof Meerut the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults aged 18 years and above and sociodemographic factors affecting overweight and obesity and to suggest measures for prevention ofoverweight and obesity in adult population of urban Meerut. Material and Methods: In the presentcross sectional community based study from 305 families, 1160 individuals aged 18 years and abovewere covered in the Urban health and training center field area of district Meerut by selecting everyfifth family by systematic random sampling from the total of 1698 families registered. The individualswere interviewed and examined personally using Pre-designed and Pre-tested Questionnaire. Results:The prevalence of overweight (BMI - 25-29.99) and obesity (BMI ≥30) was found to be 28.0% and8.0%, respectively. Prevalence of obesity was more in females (10.2%) than males (5.9%). Theprevalence of overweight increased significantly with the advancing age being minimum in age group18-29 years (19.0%) and maximum (49.2%) in 50-59 yrs age group. Males had maximum overweight(45.7%) in 30-39 yrs age group while females had maximum over weight (56.3%) in 50-59 years agegroup. The prevalence of overweight was higher in married, high socio-economic status group. Theprevalence of overweight and obesity was almost equally higher in Savarna and OBC castes ascompared to SC individuals. Conclusion: The prevalence of Overweight and Obesity is increasing inadult population of urban area. Various socio-demographic correlates are affecting the prevalence ofOverweight and Obesity in urban population.