Abstract

Overweight and obesity is becoming one of the major public health problems in developing countries like Nepal. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among reproductive aged females of 15-49 years residing in Bharatpur metropolitan city. Anthropometric measurement was used to determine Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR). Data on socio-demographic, physical activity, dietary and behavioral factors was collected using structured questionnaire. Microsoft excel and SPSS version 20 were used to analyze data and chi square test was performed to analyze the factors associated with BMI, WC and WHR cut-offs. The result of this study revealed that 32.3% of females were overweight and 9.7% of females were obese. Similarly, on the basis of waist circumference 69% of females were abdominally obese and on the basis of waist hip ratio 68% of females were abdominally obese. Mean BMI was found to be 24.1c10.01 kg/m2 , waist circumference was found to be 86.41±13.091 cm and waist hip ratio was found to be 0.89±0.108. This study shows that age, marital status, parity, stress, sleeping time, calorie intake, carbohydrate intake, physical activity and fruits consumption were found to be significantly associated (P<0.05) with overweight and obesity. Age, marital status, parity, calorie intake, fat intake, physical activity and fruits consumption were found to have significant association (P<0.05) with waist circumference. Similarly, age, marital status, parity, cloth wear, calorie intake, carbohydrate intake and physical activity were found to be significant predictors (P<0.05) of WHR in the study. The findings show a clear evidence of the rising trends of overweight and obesity among reproductive aged female. Overall this study indicate that efforts should be made to address the problem of overweight and obesity, by addressing the factors associated and minimize its consequences.

Keywords

overweight, obesity, BMI, WC, WHR