The Prevalence of Obesity and its Associated Demographic Factors in Tehran, Iran

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Abstract

Abstract
 


Background: Obesity is one of the most common health problems in the world and its prevalence is increasing in both developed and developing nations with changes in dietary habits and activity levels. The present study aimed to provide population-based data on the prevalence of obesity and some demographic factors associated with obesity.

Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional survey was done on 3,000 individuals in Tehran province, Iran, From May 2006 through December 2007. Respondents were asked about their height and weight in the questionnaire. Body mass index was assigned as the measure of overall obesity and was calculated as body weight (kg) divided by height squared (meters).

Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 38.3% and 17.5%. The combined prevalence of both overweight and obesity was 51.7% in males and 58.3% in females. The mean
BMI ± SD for the total population studied was 26.1 ± 4.7 and it was higher in women than in men
(P < 0.05). The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 39.7% and 12.0% in men, and 37.4% and 20.9% in women. The multivariate analysis showed that there was a higher percentage of obesity among older individuals, females, married and less educated subjects.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the prevalence of overweight and obesity are relatively high in Tehran and must be considered as a significant public health problem especially among women.

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