High body mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality, while low BMI is an indicator of undernutrition; both may be concerns in low-income countries. This cross-sectional, primary-care based study aimed to measure the sex and age-specific mean BMI and estimate the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight among adults in an urban community in Sana'a, Yemen. A total of 2500 subjects (919 males and 1581 females) were recruited in 2006. The crude mean BMI for all ages was significantly higher in females [23.9 (SD 5.1) kg/m2] than males [21.8 (SD 8.9) kg/m2]. The mean BMI trend was associated with age, with a peak in the age group 35-44 years. Calculated prevalence showed 18.0% of males and 14.6% of females were overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) and 2.5% of males and 12.4% of females were obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2). In contrast a substantial number of subjects were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2): 20.1% of males and 14.6% of females.
CITATION STYLE
Gunaid, A. A. (2012). Obesity, overweight and underweight among adults in an urban community in Yemen. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal = La Revue de Santé de La Méditerranée Orientale = Al-Majallah Al-Sihhīyah Li-Sharq Al-Mutawassit, 18(12), 1187–1193. https://doi.org/10.26719/2012.18.12.1187
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