A Cross Sectional Study Report on Prevalence of Obesity and its Associated Risk Factor among Patients Attending National Institute of Unani Medicine, India

Abstract

Background and objective: Obesity (Siman e Mufrat) is defined as deposition of excess adipose tissue mass and increased body weight. As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) in 2015–16, India’s obesity doubled in last 10 years. The prevalence of obesity is higher among the urban than rural, high socioeconomic states and in south India from 1998 to 2018. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of obesity among patients visiting the NIUM hospital. Material and methods: Present study was a cross sectional study of 10 weeks duration conducted in the specialised OPD of musculoskeletal disease at NIUM, Bangalore. A total of 583 subjects were screened based on their typology to rule out obesity and its associated risk factors. Diagnosis was made on the basis of parameters used to determine the body weight which are Asian Indian Standard of BMI (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2 )), for adult Asians BMI (kg/m2 ), underweight <18.5, normal 18.5–22.9, overweight 23–24.9, obese I 25–29.9, obese II 30–34.9, obesity III ≥35 and Waist Hip Ratio, Waist circumference ratio. Result: The present study revealed that out of 583 subjects, 241 subject were found overweight and obese, from which 6.63% overweight, 39.00% obese I, 37.75% obese II, and 16.59% obese III. Out of these, 11.20% were found with risk of HTN, 6.22% with DM, and 2.90% with thyroid dysfunction. Conclusion: Present study reveals that obesity is a common life style disorder. Etiologically sedentary life style, lack of physical activity and exercise, consumption of energy rich diet, stress, and inadequate sleep are projected as the causes for obesity. It is a major risk factor for various diseases including type 2 DM, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and certain types of cancer. So, health education should be provided to the patients to adopt certain lifestyle changes that can be beneficial to limit the progress of the disease