A Comparative Preliminary Study on the Prevalence of Overweight-Obese with Socio-Economic Status (SES) Among the Adult Females

Abstract

This study was to determine how the SES influenced on overweight and obesity in adult women. The analysis was done by ISBM SPSS. BMIwas categorized according to WHO criteria such as normal weight: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; overweight: 25.0- 29.9 kg/m2; or obese > 30.0 kg/m2. Obese further categorized to obese-I (30-34.9 kg/m2), obese-II (35-39.9 kg/m2) and morbid obese ( > 40 kg/m2). 206 participants were participated. In this study 32.5% were overweight and 67.5% were obese. Out of this 67% of obese 43.2% were belong to obese I, 17.5% were belong to obese II and 6.8% were in the morbidly obese. 43.3%, 40.3% of overweight were found in the age group 31-40 and 41-60 respectively. Similarly 35.7%, 47.4% of obese were found in the similar age groups. 53.7% was overweight and 68.3% was obese found in the participants who completed or below level of primary education. Further in the participants who completed the secondary education or above, the percentage of overweight (31.4%) was found lesser amount than obesity (46.3%). Family income concerned both 33.3% overweight and 37.4% obese were found in less income family (LKR < 25000). 29.8% overweight and 31.7% obese were found in the families who received the income between LKR 25000 - 50000. Inthis study 71.8%, 22.3 %, 5.8% were house wives, employees and students respectively. Overweight/obese found more in the age groups between 31-60. Overweight/obese found higher percentage in poor educated group. This study indicates that with the increasing of the age the overweight condition is transforming into obese condition. Therefore a study on wide range of the population is needed to come to a conclusion.