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17-02-2023 | Obesity | Original Article

Prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity in the South Asian population: findings from nationally representative surveys

Authors: Rajat Das Gupta, Shams Shabab Haider, Md. Nasim Saba Nishat, Supantha Dey, Maxwell Akonde, Mohammad Rifat Haider

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Aim

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity in the South Asian population.

Methods

The nationally representative surveys including adults aged 18–69 years from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka were used, and 26,758 adults were included in the study. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference >90 centimeter (cm) in men and >80 cm in women. Logistic regression was conducted to find out the associated factors of abdominal obesity.

Results

The overall prevalence of abdominal obesity ranged from 30.1% in Nepal to 53.3% in Afghanistan. Increased age, female gender, and overweight/obesity increased the odds of abdominal obesity in all five South Asian countries. Never smoking and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake had lower odds of abdominal obesity in certain countries, e.g., Sri Lanka (never smoking), Afghanistan and Bangladesh (insufficient fruit and vegetable intake).

Conclusions

The high burden of abdominal obesity is a public health problem in South Asian countries. Health promotion programs should target high risk groups (i.e., the elderly population, female gender, and overweight/obese) in order to prevent and control the rising burden of abdominal obesity.

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Title: Prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity in the South Asian population: findings from nationally representative surveys
Authors: Rajat Das Gupta
Shams Shabab Haider
Md. Nasim Saba Nishat
Supantha Dey
Maxwell Akonde
Mohammad Rifat Haider
Publication date: 17-02-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Overweight
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-023-01846-z

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Prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity in the South Asian population: findings from nationally representative surveys

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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