EDUCATION LEVEL AND OBESITY IN WOMEN LIVING IN THE CROATIAN RURAL AREA DAMAGED BY AN EARTHQUAKE. “THE SILENT KILLER HUNT PROJECT”- CROATIAN SOCIETY OF HYPERTENSION PROJECT

Abstract

Objective: The rates of obesity and the resultant morbidities are rising worldwide, making it a high-priority health issue for the medical community. Obesity prevalence varies depending on several factors, one of which is educational level and stress. Our goal was to determine the relationship between the level of education and body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference and visceral fat percentage of women in the Croatian rural area damaged by an earthquake. Design and method: We analyzed the association between the level of education and BMI, mid-upper arm circumference and visceral fat percentage of 170 women (opportunistic screening). A structured questionnaire was prepared, and it included questions about the years of formal education. Weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat were measured by using a metabolic scale with a body composition monitor. Results: In our studied female population the average value of BMI was 29. 8 ± 6. 04 kg/m2, mid-upper arm circumference was 31. 6 ± 3. 30 cm and visceral fat percentage was 10. 5 ± 3. 87 %. By dividing the observed population into 2 subsets based on educational status (low educated and highly educated) there was a noticeable difference between the measured variables. Mean values of BMI, mid-upper arm circumference and visceral fat percentage in highly educated and low educated categories were 28. 2 ± 6. 25 kg/m2, 30. 5 ± 4. 14 cm, 8. 88 ± 3. 35 % and 30. 4 ± 5. 9 kg/m2, 32. 0 ± 4. 32 cm, 11. 1 ± 3. 89 %, respectively. Each of these factors had statistical significance with the following p values: BMI p <0.040, mid-upper arm circumference p <0.049, visceral fat percentage p <0.001. Conclusions: Our results have shown that BMI, mid-upper arm circumference, and visceral fat percentage are higher in women with the lower level of education. This observation highlights the role of patient education in our endeavors to improve health and quality of life on a population level. Average values are higher than in other rural parts of Croatia indicating that earthquake stress further contributed to obesity.