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PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AMONG MUSCULOSKELETAL PATIENTS
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of the study was to identify the prevalence of obesity among the musculoskeletal patients who attended musculoskeletal department of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paraleysed (CRP) to receive physiotherapy service. The study was conducted in order to find the information related to demography, prevalence of obesity by age and sex, the main musculoskeletal disorder among the obese participants, as well as the distribution of chronic disease including hypertension and diabetes among the obese participants.
Methodology: A cross sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 162 participants aged between 18-75 years.
Results: Prevalence of obesity was 12.3%, with 55% were ≥ 50 years and 45% were < 50 years, 60% of whom were females and 40% were males. Out of 162, 20 patients were obese who complained at least one musculoskeletal problem. Among the 20 patients osteoarthritis of the knee (10, 50%) was the most common musculoskeletal disorder followed by low back pain (7, 35%), ankle sprain (1, 5%), neck pain (1, 5%) and calcaneal spur (1, 5%). Most of the obese shared that they had no hypertension (13, 65%) and diabetes (17, 85%) where rest of the patients suffered with hypertension (7, 35%) and diabetes (3, 15%).
Conclusion: Prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing day by day in the world. Now-a-days obesity is a burning question. It is essential to identify the prevalence of obesity among musculoskeletal patients of Bangladesh.
... Obesity is a global epidemic, and is one of the major intermediate risk factors of chronic noncommunicable diseases (1), including several types of musculoskeletal disorders (2,3). Excessive fat accumulation especially in the abdominal area in obesity causes abnormally increased lordotic curvature, followed by a disturbance in the weight shifting and faulty biomechanics (4)(5)(6). ...
... Overweight and obesity are now growing concern in Bangladesh ( [14][15][16], and related health problems have also been found commonly among them (2). We report here a strong association of obesity with poor balance and gait abnormalities in young adults for the first time in Bangladesh, from our best knowledge based on published data. ...
Background: Obesity decreases balance capacity and impairs gait quality of an individual, mostly the older
ones. We aimed to investigate the associations of obesity with balance and gait among young adults, which
are quite limited.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 60 obese [body mass index
(BMI) ≥30.0 kg/m2] and normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) young adults (aged 20–40 years) in Dhaka
city. The sex-matched normal weight participants were deliberately selected equal as many as obese (1:1)
using a convenience sampling method. Functional reach test for the forward balance, and footprint method
for step length, step width and foot angle in terms of spatio-temporal characteristics of gait, and a clinical
assessment for gait abnormalities were executed to assess overall balance and gait. The outcomes were the
lower forward balance and step length, and higher step width and foot angle for those who (for both groups)
had respective values < mean − 1SD and > mean + 1SD, respectively, compared to the sex-specific cutoff
points as the references (≥ mean − 1SD and ≤ mean + 1SD, respectively) derived from normal weight
participants. Both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.
Results: Age- and occupation-adjusted odds of lower forward balance was 8.9 (95% CI: 2.5–32.4) times;
occupation-adjusted odds of lower step length and higher foot angle were 7.7 (95% CI: 2.2–27.8) and 142.3
(95% CI: 12.1–1,667.1) times, respectively; and unadjusted higher step width was 91.0 (95% CI: 15.4–539.3)
times statistically significantly higher in obese, compared with normal weight participants.
Conclusion: Obesity is substantially associated with balance and gait among young adults in Bangladesh.
Keywords: Associations; obesity; balance; gait; young adults; Bangladesh
... The prevalence of chronic lower limb pain among those who were obese was significantly higher (32.6%) than those who were overweight (14.5%) or having a normal BMI (15.9%). Obesity has been recognised as a condition that increases the risk of osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing body structures [35][36][37]. Mechanically, any load-carrying structures are bound to be subjected to loading stress and fatigue [38]. Even though obesity is a personal risk factor, it can be intervened at the workplace level. ...
Healthcare workers (HCW) are known to have high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. Nevertheless, the knowledge on lower limb pain (LLP) and its risk factors is still lacking due to the lack of studies done on this body region. A cross-sectional study was therefore carried out among HCW in a district hospital in order to identify the prevalence of LLP among HCW and its associated risk factors. LLP was assessed through Malay-translated Standardised Nordic Questionnaire and other personal and work risk factors were elicited. It was found that the majority of the HCW were exposed to prolonged walking (73.6%) while 33.8% experienced their jobs as passive and another 19% found theirs as highly strained. The prevalence of LLP that lasted more than a day in the previous 12 months was 64.3%, while the prevalence for chronic duration (more than three months) was 18.0%. Chronic LLP among this population was associated with obesity, history of previous injury and work category. Other physical and psychosocial work factors were not found to be associated with chronic LLP. It could be concluded that LLP is prevalent among HCW. However, prospective cohort study is recommended to ascertain the associations of the work factors and chronic LLP.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and hypertension in a rural community of Bangladesh.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A cluster sampling of 1,005 subjects > 15 years of age in the rural community of Dohar was investigated. Capillary blood glucose of fasting and 2 h after 75 g oral glucose (2hBG) were estimated. World Health Organization criteria were used for diagnosis of NIDDM and IGT. Blood pressure, height, and weight were also measured.
RESULTS
The crude prevalence of NIDDM was 2.1% (men 3.1, women 1.3%) and IGT was 13.3% (men 14.4, women 12.4%). Age-adjusted (30–64 years of age) prevalence was 2.23% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–3.45) for NIDDM and 15.67% (95% CI 12.59–18.75) for IGT. Prevalence of hypertension with systolic blood pressure (sBP) ≥140 mmHg was 10.5% and with diastolic blood pressure (dBP) >90 mmHg was 9.0%. Increased age was the risk factor for NIDDM, IGT, and hypertension; whereas increased BMI showed inconsistent association with them. Relative risk for sBP with higher BMI (<22.0 vs. ≥22.1) was 1.94 with CI 1.55–2.43 and for dBP it was 2.2 with CI 1.40–3.46. Correlation of sBP was significant with age, BMI, and 2hBG. Similar correlation was also observed with dBP.
CONCLUSIONS
High prevalences of NIDDM, IGT, and hypertension were observed among rural subjects. Increased age was shown to be an important risk factor for all these disorders, whereas BMI-associated risk was significant with NIDDM and hypertension but not with IGT.
To examine the associations of low back pain symptoms with waist circumference, height, waist to hip ratio and body mass index, and to test the interactions between (1) waist circumference and height, and (2) waist to hip ratio and body mass index.
Cross-sectional study set in The Netherlands of a random sample of 5887 men and 7018 women aged 20-60 y.
The prevalences of low back pain in men and women in the past 12 months were 46% and 52%, of whom 17% and 21% had low back pain for a total of 12 or more weeks, and 13% and 18% had symptoms suggestive of intervertebral disc herniation. After adjustments for age, smoking and education, more women in the highest tertile of waist circumference reported low back pain in the past 12 months (odds ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.4), low back pain for a total of 12 or more weeks (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-1.8), and intervertebral disc herniation symptoms (odds ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.6) than women in the lowest waist tertile. Corresponding values of low back pain symptoms for women with high body mass index or high waist to hip ratio were similar to those with high waist. There were no significant differences between men in different tertiles of waist, waist to hip ratio or body mass index reporting low back pain symptoms. Tallest subjects did not report low back pain symptoms more often than shortest subjects. There was no significant interactions between waist and height or between waist to hip ratio and body mass index on low back pain symptoms.
Women who are overweight or with a large waist have a significantly increased likelihood of low back pain. There are no significant interactions between waist and height, or waist to hip ratio and body mass index on low back pain symptoms.
Biological differences exist in the body composition of blacks and whites. We reviewed literature on the differences and similarities between the 2 races relative to fat-free body mass (water, mineral, and protein), fat patterning, and body dimensions and proportions. In general, blacks have a greater bone mineral density and body protein content than do whites, resulting in a greater fat-free body density. Additionally, there are racial differences in the distribution of subcutaneous fat and the length of the limbs relative to the trunk. The possibility that these differences are a result of ethnicity rather than of race is also examined. Because most equations that predict relative body fat were derived from predominantly white samples, biological variation between the races in these body-composition indexes has practical significance. Systematic error can result in the inaccurate estimation of the relative body fat of blacks, and therefore of definitions of obesity, if these inherent differences are ignored.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased markedly in the last 2 decades in the United States.
To update the US prevalence estimates of overweight in children and obesity in adults, using the most recent national data of height and weight measurements.
As part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a complex multistage probability sample of the US noninstitutionalized civilian population, both height and weight measurements were obtained from 4115 adults and 4018 children in 1999-2000 and from 4390 adults and 4258 children in 2001-2002.
Prevalence of overweight (body mass index [BMI] > or =95th percentile of the sex-specific BMI-for-age growth chart) among children and prevalence of overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9), obesity (BMI > or =30.0), and extreme obesity (BMI > or =40.0) among adults by sex, age, and racial/ethnic group.
Between 1999-2000 and 2001-2002, there were no significant changes among adults in the prevalence of overweight or obesity (64.5% vs 65.7%), obesity (30.5% vs 30.6%), or extreme obesity (4.7% vs 5.1%), or among children aged 6 through 19 years in the prevalence of at risk for overweight or overweight (29.9% vs 31.5%) or overweight (15.0% vs 16.5%). Overall, among adults aged at least 20 years in 1999-2002, 65.1% were overweight or obese, 30.4% were obese, and 4.9% were extremely obese. Among children aged 6 through 19 years in 1999-2002, 31.0% were at risk for overweight or overweight and 16.0% were overweight. The NHANES results indicate continuing disparities by sex and between racial/ethnic groups in the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
There is no indication that the prevalence of obesity among adults and overweight among children is decreasing. The high levels of overweight among children and obesity among adults remain a major public health concern.
To assess the prevalence of obesity and its association with low back pain in patients attending health care centres. A case-control study of 2460 Arab patients attending urban and rural health centres in Riyadh region was conducted during Jan-Feb 1993. Twelve health centres participated in the study. All patients attending the health centres with low back pain [cases] were compared with patients free from back pain [non-cases]. The mean ages were 34 years for males and 32 years for females. Only 17. 6% cases can be considered as non-obese compared with 42. 6% non-obese among non-cases. The mean body mass index [BMI] of cases was 30. 6 +/- 6. 1 kg/m [2] compared with 26. 7 +/- 5. 8 kg/m [2] of non-cases [p<0. 01]. Body mass indices were higher among females, those of low education, housewives, non-Saudis and the divorced or widowed than other groups [p<0. 01]. Patients living in rural areas had higher BMI than those residing in urban areas [P< 0. 01]. Low back pain is associated with obesity. The prevalence of obesity is higher in females, housewives, non-Saudis, the divorced, the widowed, and among those living in rural areas
A WHO expert consultation addressed the debate about interpretation of recommended body-mass index (BMI) cut-off points for determining overweight and obesity in Asian populations, and considered whether population-specific cut-off points for BMI are necessary. They reviewed scientific evidence that suggests that Asian populations have different associations between BMI, percentage of body fat, and health risks than do European populations. The consultation concluded that the proportion of Asian people with a high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is substantial at BMIs lower than the existing WHO cut-off point for overweight (⩾25 kg/m2). However, available data do not necessarily indicate a clear BMI cut-off point for all Asians for overweight or obesity. The cut-off point for observed risk varies from 22kg/m2 to 25kg/m2 in different Asian populations; for high risk it varies from 26kg/m2 to 31kg/m2. No attempt was made, therefore, to redefine cut-off points for each population separately. The consultation also agreed that the WHO BMI cut-off points should be retained as international classifications. The consultation identified further potential public health action points (23·0, 27·5, 32·5, and 37·5 kg/m2) along the continuum of BMI, and proposed methods by which countries could make decisions about the definitions of increased risk for their population.
The incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and is especially pronounced in developed western countries. While the consequences of obesity on metabolic and cardiovascular physiology are well established, epidemiological and experimental data are beginning to establish that the central nervous system (CNS) may also be detrimentally affected by obesity and obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction. In particular, data show that obesity in human populations is associated with cognitive decline and enhanced vulnerability to brain injury, while experimental studies in animal models confirm a profile of heightened vulnerability and decreased cognitive function. This review will describe findings from human and animal studies to summarize current understanding of how obesity affects the brain. Furthermore, studies aimed at identifying key elements of body–brain dialog will be discussed to assess how various metabolic and adipose-related signals could adversely affect the CNS. Overall, data suggest that obesity-induced alterations in metabolism may significantly synergize with age to impair brain function and accelerate age-related diseases of the nervous system. Thus, enhanced understanding of the effects of obesity and obesity-related metabolic dysfunction on the brain are especially critical as increasing numbers of obese individuals approach advanced age.
Our aims in this study were to examine trends in the prevalence of overweight-obesity and underweight among women of reproductive age in 3 South Asian countries between 1996 and 2006 and to identify sociodemographic correlates of overweight in the most recent survey. Using nationally representative data from 8 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Bangladesh (n = 19,211), Nepal (n = 19,354), and India (n = 161,755), we examined the change in the prevalence rates of overweight-obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2)) and underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)) over a recent 7- to 10-y period among women aged 15-49 y. The prevalence of overweight-obesity increased substantially in all countries. Comparing the first to the latest survey in Bangladesh, the prevalence of overweight-obesity increased from 2.7 to 8.9% [age and parity-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR): 2.42; 95% CI: 1.88, 3.13]; in Nepal, from 1.6 to 10.1% [adjusted PR: 4.18; 95% CI: 3.00, 5.83]; and in India, from 10.6 to 14.8% [adjusted PR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.36]. These increases were observed in both rural and urban areas and were greater in rural areas. During the study period, the prevalence of underweight decreased substantially in Bangladesh and only modestly in Nepal and India. Overweight-obesity was positively related to age, higher socioeconomic status, and urban residence in all countries. In conclusion, while the prevalence of underweight has remained high in Bangladesh, Nepal, and India, the prevalence of overweight-obesity in women of reproductive age has risen between 1996 and 2006.
Twenty five grossly obese males were investigated for evidence of osteoarthrosis. A roentgenological survey of multiple joints obtained from 22 of these patients showed few significant degenerative changes. 6 patients (20%) had previously incurred traumatic rents in their menisci necessitating meniscectomy. The authors' results refute previous claims that obesity is a factor in the genesis of osteoarthrosis but do indicate that obese individuals are more predisposed to traumatic injury of the knee.
We investigated the differences in the prevalence of obesity between France, the United Kingdom and the United States in 1988. The analysis was made on a total sample of 5580 subjects, representative of the population aged 16-50 years in the three countries. The same questionnaire was used in all three countries. Body mass index (kg/m2) was used to assess corpulence. Significant differences in the prevalence of obesity were observed among the three countries: 7% of the population in France was obese, 9% in the UK and 15% in the USA (P less than 0.001). There was a strikingly high percentage of very obese women (more than 50% overweight) in the USA (8% of the population) as compared to the two European countries (2% in France and 3% in the UK). In all three countries, obesity was related to sex, age, level of education, marital status, physical exercise and smoking. An inverse association was found between obesity and alcohol consumption in the USA, but not in France nor in the UK. In men, prevalence of obesity remained significantly higher in the USA than in France or in the UK when adjusting for the obesity-related factors. In women, differences in prevalence of obesity between the three countries varied according to the level of exercise, income and alcohol consumption.
Approximately 34 million US adults were obese in 1980. Obesity is associated with increased risk of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease and cholecystectomy, and colon and postmenopausal breast cancer. Using a prevalence-based approach to cost of illness, we estimated the economic costs in 1986 attributable to obesity for these medical conditions. Indirect costs due to morbidity and mortality were discounted at 4%. Overall, the costs attributable to obesity were 22.2 billion for cardiovascular disease, 1.5 billion for hypertension, and 39.3 billion, or 5.5% of the costs of illness in 1986. Addition of costs due to musculoskeletal disorders could raise this estimate to 7.8%. The costs of treatment for severe obesity must be weighed against the improved health status and quality of life.
Analyses are reported on the correlation with height and with subcutaneous fat thickness of relative weight expressed as per cent of average weight at given height, and of the ratios weight/height, weight/height squared, and the ponderal index (cube root of weight divided by height) in 7424 ‘healthy’ men in 12 cohorts in five countries. Analyses are also reported on the relationship of those indicators of relative weight to body density in 180 young men and in 248 men aged 49–59.Judged by the criteria of correlation with height (lowest is best) and to measures of body fatness (highest is best), the ponderal index is the poorest of the relative weight indices studied. The ratio of weight to height squared, here termed the body mass index, is slightly better in these respects than the simple ratio of weight to height. The body mass index seems preferable over other indices of relative weight on these grounds as well as on the simplicity of the calculation and, in contrast to percentage of average weight, the applicability to all populations at all times.
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or type II diabetes is rapidly becoming one of the most common chronic disease in the United States and worldwide, with more than 7% of the adult population affected. NIDDM is even more common in the elderly and in minority population including Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Island Americans, and Native Americans. In these populations, NIDDM may be present in 10% to as much as 50% of the adult population. However diagnosed NIDDM is only the tip of the iceberg of an epidemic of glucose intolerance. Impaired glucose intolerance (IGT) is even more prevalent that NIDDM; and in addition to be a major risk factor for the development of NIDDM, IGT is associated with an increased risk of macrovascular disease. Recent advances in research into the etiology and natural history of diabetes have increased the knowledge to such an extent that primary prevention of NIDDM is becoming a reality. This primary prevention can be implemented a) through a population strategy, i.e. changing the lifestyle and environmental determinants that are known to be risk factors for diabetes, and b) through high-risk strategy, i.e. targeting preventive measures only at those specific individuals or groups that are at high risk for the future development of NIDDM. The latter is the strategy of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DDP), a clinical study sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease in USA. Twenty five centers were selected to participate in this program. The purpose of DPP is prevent or delay the development of NIDDM in those persons who are at high risk because they have IGT. DPP will also evaluate if the interventions selected to prevent the development of NIDDM can decrease the frequency of cardiovascular events and the occurrence and magnitude of the cardiovascular risk factors that accompany NIDDM and IGT. Four thousand volunteers will be recruited from populations known to be at particular high risk fo IGT and NIDDM including the following: elderly, overweight individuals, persons with family history of NIDDM, women with history of gestational diabetes, and minority populations. In order to be eligible, persons who are older than 25 years will have to demonstrate IGT with plasma glucose levels 100-139 mg/dl fasting and 140-199 mg/dL two hours after a 75 g OGTT. Three study intervention were selected based on their potential efficacy in ameliorating abnormal glucose metabolism in IGT and on their safety and tolerable profile of side-effects. The interventions include: intensive lifestyle intervention which focuses on a healthy diet to achieve and maintain at least a 7% loss of body weight and an increase in caloric expenditure of at least 700 kcal per week. The drug therapy interventions include the biguanide metformin and the thiazolidinedione troglizatone. Standard life-style recommendations, which include conventional instructions regarding diet and exercise, will be provided to all participants, including a placebo treated group which will serve as the control group for the study. After randomization, participants will have quarterly evaluations and have, in addition, a fasting plasma glucose at semi-annual visits and a 75 g OGTT at annual visits. All participants will be followed for three years after the study-wide closing date for recruitment, resulting in 3 to 6 years of participant follow-up. The primary outcome is the development of NIDDM according to WHO criteria (fasting plasma glucose level 140 mg/dL or 2-hour plasma glucose 200 mg/dL after a 75 g OGTT). Secondary outcome will focus en cardiovascular disease and its risk factors and change of glycemia, insulin secretion and sensitivity, obesity, physical activity and nutrient intake, quality of life, and the occurrence of adverse events.
A random survey for determining the prevalence of NIDDM was conducted in the population aged 40 years and above of Shimla town. 1195 subjects were screened for estimation of NIDDM prevalence from seven randomly selected wards. The prevalence of NIDDM in age group 40 years and above was 4.86% (5.17% in males and 4.38% in females). NIDDM was found to be positively associated with increasing age, BMI, WHR, family history of diabetes and negatively with physical activity. Stress should be on early detection of diabetes to reduce the heavy burden of morbidity and mortality caused by diabetes.
Since 1980 the prevalence of obesity in Great Britain in adults has almost trebled. Latest figures show that 23% of men and 25% of women were obese in 2002. In children, obesity prevalence is lower but the increase in the prevalence of overweight is similar to the rise in obesity in adults. Data from national surveys also show that there are marked differences in the prevalence of obesity that underpin health inequalities. Obesity is higher in low social classes, some ethnic minority groups particularly from South Asia and in Scotland and Wales relative to England.
To investigate the current epidemiological characteristics of obesity and overweight in the middle-aged and elderly populations of china and to disclose their relation with such chronic diseases as hypertension.
A questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among the 35-85-years-old persons from 14 densely populated residential areas representative in economic development and medical conditions in 14 provinces/municipality in China (i.e., Henna, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Zhejiang) where a large-scale epidemiological survey of atrial fibrillation were being conducted, one residential area for a province, selected by cluster sampling to investigate the health-related personal conditions and examine the blood pressure (BP), body height, weight, body mass index (BMI), etc. so as to understand the prevalence of overweight and obesity based on the diagnostic criteria of Chinese adults recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China.
29056 persons, 13549 males with the average body height of 168 cm +/- 7 cm, average weight of 68 kg +/- 11 kg, and average body mass index (BMI) of 24 kg/m(2) +/- 3 kg/m(2), and 15507 females with the average body height of 156 cm +/- 6 cm, average weight of 60 kg +/- 10 kg, and average BMI of 24 kg/m(2) +/- 4 kg/m(2), were surveyed. The BMI of women was significantly higher than that of men (P = 0.005). The total prevalence of overweight in the 14 provinces/municipality was 38.93%, and the standardized prevalence of overweight was 37.17%, the total prevalence of obesity was 13.94%, and the standardized prevalence was 12.63%. The prevalence of obesity of men was 12.29%, significantly lower then that of women (15.39%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of overweight of men was 412.18%, significantly higher then that of women (36.97%, P < 0.001). The prevalence rates of obesity and overweight increased with age in the age group 35-64; and decreased with age in the age group 65 and over. In the men, the prevalence of overweight was the highest in the age group 45-54 (44.57%), and the prevalence of obesity was the highest in the age 55-64 (13.60%). In the women, the prevalence of overweight was the highest in the age group 55-64 (40.10%), and the prevalence of obesity was the highest in the age group 65-74 (19.97%). The prevalence of hypertension increased obviously with the BMI in these populations.
Overweight and obesity are prevalent in China. Control of body weight is of great importance to the prevention and treatment of such chronic diseases as hypertension.
The associations of body mass index (BMI) and chronic disease may differ between Indo-Asian and Western populations. We used Indo-Asian-specific definitions of overweight and obesity to determine the prevalence of these problems in Pakistan and studied the sensitivity and specificity of BMI cutoff values for an association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
We analyzed data for 8972 people aged 15 years or more from the National Health Survey of Pakistan (1990-1994). People considered overweight or obese were those with a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or greater, and those considered obese as having a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater. We built multivariable models and performed logistic regression analysis.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity, weighted to the general Pakistani population, was 25.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.8%-28.2%). The prevalence of obesity was 10.3% (95% CI 7.0%-13.2%). The factors independently and significantly associated with overweight and obesity included greater age, being female, urban residence, being literate, and having a high (v. low) economic status and a high (v. low) intake of meat. With receiver operating characteristic curves, we found that the use of even lower BMI cutoff values (21.2 and 22.1 kg/m2 for men and 21.2 and 22.9 kg/m2 for women) than those recommended for an Indo-Asian population yielded the optimal areas under the curve for an association with hypertension and diabetes, respectively.
A quarter of the population of Pakistan would be classified as overweight or obese with the use of Indo-Asian-specific BMI cutoff values. Optimal identification of those at risk of hypertension and diabetes and healthy targets may require the use of even lower BMI cutoff values than those already proposed for an Indo-Asian population.
Obesity is increasing globally across all population groups. Limited data are available on how obesity patterns differ across countries.
To document the prevalence of obesity and related health conditions for Europeans aged 50 years and older, and to estimate the association between obesity and health outcomes across 10 European countries.
Data were obtained from the 2004 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, a cross-national survey of 22,777 Continental Europeans over the age of 50 years. The health outcomes included self-reported health, disability, doctor-diagnosed chronic health conditions and depression. Multivariate regression analysis was used to predict health outcomes across weight classes (defined by body mass index [BMI] from self-reported weight and height) in the pooled sample and individually in each country.
The prevalence of obesity (BMI >or=30) ranged from 12.8% in Sweden to 20.2% in Spain for men and from 12.3% in Switzerland to 25.6% in Spain for women. Adjusting for compositional differences across countries changed little in the observed large heterogeneity in obesity rates throughout Europe. Compared with normal weight individuals, men and women with greater BMI had significantly higher risks for all chronic health conditions examined except heart disease in overweight men. Depression was linked to obesity in women only. Particularly pronounced risks of impaired health and chronic health conditions were found among severely obese people. The effects of obesity on health did not vary significantly across countries.
Cross-country differences in the prevalence of obesity in older Europeans are substantial and exceed socio-demographic differentials in excessive body weight. Obesity is associated with significantly poorer health outcomes among Europeans aged 50 years and over, with effects similar across countries. Large heterogeneity in obesity throughout Europe should be investigated further to identify areas for effective public policy.
For centuries, the human race struggled to overcome food scarcity, disease, and a hostile environment. With the onset of the industrial revolution, the great powers understood that increasing the average body size of the population was an important social and political factor. The military and economic might of countries was critically dependent on the body size and strength of their young generations, from which soldiers and workers were drawn. Moving the body mass index (BMI) distribution of the population from the underweight range toward normality had an important impact on survival and productivity, playing a central role in the economic development of industrialized societies (1).
Historical records from developed countries indicate that height and weight increased progressively, particularly during the 19th century. During the 20th century, as populations from better-off countries began to approach their genetic potential for longitudinal growth, they began to gain proportionally more weight than height, with the resulting increase in average BMI. By the year 2000, the human race reached a sort of historical landmark, when for the first time in human evolution the number of adults with excess weight surpassed the number of those who were underweight (2). Excess adiposity/body weight is now widely recognized as one of today's leading health threats in most countries around the world and as a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension (3).
This overview provides an introduction to this issue of Epidemiologic Reviews, highlighting, in historical perspective, key scientific aspects of obesity that are addressed by the 11 articles that follow. This compilation of reviews underscores the multidisciplinary nature of obesity research and the need to expand even further our scope to fully understand and confront the obesity epidemic.
Unlabelled:
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in all states of Malaysia with the aim to determine the prevalence of obesity among Malaysians aged fifteen years and above and factors associated. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling design with proportional allocation was used. Trained interviewers using a standardized protocol obtained the weight and height measurements and other relevant information. Subjects with a body mass index >= 30 kg/m2 were labelled as obese. The results show that the overall national prevalence of obesity among Malaysians aged 15 years old and above was 11.7% (95% CI = 11.1 - 12.4%). The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in females (13.8%) as compared to 9.6% in males (p< 0.0001). Prevalence of obesity was highest amongst the Malays (13.6%) and Indians (13.5%) followed by the indigenous group of "Sarawak Bumiputra" (10.8%) and the Chinese (8.5%). The indigenous group of "Sabah Bumiputra" had the lowest prevalence of 7.3%. These differences are statistically significant (p< 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis results show that there was a significant association between obesity and age, gender, ethnicity urban/rural status and smoking status. The prevalence of obesity amongst those aged >= 18 years old has markedly increased by 280% since the last National Health and Morbidity Survey in 1996.
Conclusion:
The overall prevalence of obesity in Malaysia is very high as compared to 1996. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive integrated population-based intervention program to ameliorate the growing problem of obesity in Malaysians.
- Obaidul Haque
- Umma Kulsum
- Ehsanur Rahman
- Mohammad Habibur Rahman
- Karim Patwary
- Prevalence
- Of
- Among
- Patients
Obaidul Haque, Umma Kulsum, Ehsanur Rahman, Mohammad Habibur
Rahman, Md. Fazlul Karim Patwary. PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AMONG
MUSCULOSKELETAL PATIENTS. Int J Physiother Res 2015;3(1):889-893.
Prevalence of obesity. A comparative study in France, the United Kingdom and the United States
- D Laurier
- M Guiquet
- N P Chau
- J A Wells
- A J Valleron
Laurier D., Guiquet M., Chau N.P., Wells J.A. &
Valleron A.J. Prevalence of obesity. A comparative
study in France, the United Kingdom and the United
States. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992;
16(8):565-72.
- Malaysians
Malaysians. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16(3):561-566.