Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Pattern and Associated Risk Factors Among the People of Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

We studied the prevalence and key risk factors responsible for overweight and obesity in different age and sex groups in Malakand Division Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Several components of lipid profile and body mass index were obtained for 562 individuals of the population using standard techniques of WHO. Preclinical data were collected based on stratified random sampling design to investigate about the lifestyle, food, blood pressure, cigarette consumption, snuff use and other diseases and life activities. The prevalence of overweight and obesity and their relationship with different gradients were investigated using multivariate analysis, i.e., cluster analysis and ordination techniques. Multivariate analysis classified the individuals into three major dichotomies (groups) and identified triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and total lipids ( $$P>\,0.001$$ ) as the most influential factors associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the region. The results showed the highest percentage (40%) of obese individuals followed by overweight (38%) and normal (22%), respectively, in the age ranged from 15 to 61 years. It indicated that overweight and obesity is common and an overriding phenomenon in the area. Our findings showed that obesity is significantly higher in female particularly in married women as compare to the male individuals may be due to the unawareness, lifestyle and food. The present pilot study is the first comprehensive report that will help understanding on the prevalence and general awareness about the risk factors associated with overweight and obesity “a Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)” in Pakistan.