Obesity and Its Risk Factors in Urban and Rural Females of Pune

Abstract

Obesity is becoming a alarming metabolic disorders in global scenario. Its prevalence is increasing day by day even in developing countries. Urban population is more vulnerable to this epidemic specially females. Objectives of this study was to compare obesity and its risk factors in urban and rural females. Methodology: In this cross sectional study, total 1063 females (545 rural and 518 urban) were analyzed. Height, weight, waist Circumference, Hip circumference, W:H ratio, Educational status, Socioeconomic status, Skinfold were measured. Body mass Index (BMI), Percentage of body fat were calculated using the formula. BMI classification, Cut off for Waist Circumference were considered as per guidelines given for Asian Indian Adults. Statistical significance was considered at 95 % Confidence Interval. Result: Out Of 1063 women randomly selected, 16.41 % of urban and 10.83% of rural females were classified as overweight and 40.54 % of urban and 22.75% of rural females were obese. Weight, BMI, Percentage of Body fat, Waist Circumference and Waist:Hip Ratio (WHR) was significantly higher (p,0.001) in Urban females as compare to Rural females. Conclusions: The higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was found in Urban women as compared to Rural women. Urban females were more central obese than Rural females.