Overweight and obesity among adults in rural Bengal: A community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Globally, more people are obese than underweight - this occurs in every region except parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths worldwide than underweight. Objective: The objective of this study is to find the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with sociodemographic and behavioral factors, if any among adult population in rural communities of Singur block of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: This community-based study was conducted among 510 people aged 20 years and above from October 2014 to June 2015 in rural communities of Singur block, West Bengal, a rural field practice area of All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata. The study participants were interviewed using predesigned and pretested questionnaire regarding sociodemographic characteristics supplemented with clinical and anthropometrical examination. Results: Among 510 participants, 22.4% were overweight and 30.4% fall in the obese category. Nearly half 46.5% of the participants (21.2% males vs. 68.2% females) had abdominal obesity. The prevalence of obesity was more among in the age group of 30-40 years (26.4%) and 20-30 and 40-50 years (each group, 25.3%, P < 0.001). Female participants were predominantly obese (58% vs. 42%) than males (P < 0.05). Higher prevalence of obesity was seen among participants belonging to Hindu religion (87%), general caste (48%), currently married (84.8%), and joint families (52%) which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Nonworking group of participants was more obese (58.4% vs. 41.6%) than working group (P > 0.05). Less overweight/obesity was seen among those having family history (29%) of noncommunicable disease (P < 0.001), habit of consumption of alcohol (5.2%), and tobacco (20.4%) (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed rising trend of overweight and obesity among adults in rural area of West Bengal. Prevention of overweight and obesity has to be recognized as a public health priority, creating awareness among rural population.