Abstract
Objective: We examined the health status of adult Indian women in relation to their body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).
Methods: Data were from a community based follow up study of 325 women, systematically selected from the 1998-99 NFHS-2 Delhi samples, who were re-interviewed after four years in 2003. Women’s self reported health status was collected through face to face interview. Standing height and weight of each woman was measured to compute their present BMI. The association between BMI and health problems is estimated using binary logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders.
Results: The likelihood of women to perceive poorer or worst health condition was almost five times more (OR:4.87;p<0.0001) among obese women and two times more (OR:1.70;p=0.050) among women with a higher WHR (>0.90). Arthritis (OR:2.26;p<0.006), hypertension (OR:3.86;p<0.0001), and breathlessness while walking (OR:2.66;p=0.061) were found higher among obese women and women with a high WHR.
Conclusion: Our study found a strong evidence of association between BMI, WHR and perceived health status as well as self reported health problems among women in India. Considering the increasing prevalence of obesity and associated health problems among women in India, urgent public action is necessary.
Methods: Data were from a community based follow up study of 325 women, systematically selected from the 1998-99 NFHS-2 Delhi samples, who were re-interviewed after four years in 2003. Women’s self reported health status was collected through face to face interview. Standing height and weight of each woman was measured to compute their present BMI. The association between BMI and health problems is estimated using binary logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders.
Results: The likelihood of women to perceive poorer or worst health condition was almost five times more (OR:4.87;p<0.0001) among obese women and two times more (OR:1.70;p=0.050) among women with a higher WHR (>0.90). Arthritis (OR:2.26;p<0.006), hypertension (OR:3.86;p<0.0001), and breathlessness while walking (OR:2.66;p=0.061) were found higher among obese women and women with a high WHR.
Conclusion: Our study found a strong evidence of association between BMI, WHR and perceived health status as well as self reported health problems among women in India. Considering the increasing prevalence of obesity and associated health problems among women in India, urgent public action is necessary.
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Event ID
17
Paper presenter
56 475
Type of Submissions
Regular session presentation, if not selected I agree to present my paper as a poster
Language of Presentation
English
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Initial First Choice
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1 000
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1