Prevalence and epidemiological determinants of obesity in rural Pondicherry, India - A community based cross-sectional study

Prevalence and epidemiological determinants of obesity in rural Pondicherry, India - A community based cross-sectional study

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Background: Globally, a significant hike in the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been found in almost all age groups.Aims: To determine the prevalence of obesity among adults in a rural area of Pondicherry and to study the risk predictors of obesity in the study population.Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among the population of two villages of Pondicherry in 2010-12.The sampling frame comprised individuals aged above 25 years and single stage cluster random sampling was carried out.Subjects were interviewed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire.

Data was analyzed using fr3345 the SPSS statistical package version 16.The associations were assessed using Chi-square test and Unpaired T test.Results: The prevalence of obesity among the study participants was 27.3%.Higher prevalence of obesity was observed among individuals who were socioeconomically better off, physically inactive and had a positive family history of Type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Of the dietary factors, consuming aerated summer salt powder drink was the significant predictor of obesity.Conclusion: The study revealed that obesity is an important public health problem in the adults of rural Pondicherry.Among the modifiable factors, preference to non-vegetarian / fried food, aerated drinks, and a positive family history of Type-2 diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with the development of obesity.