Trends of central obesity and associations with nutrients intake and daily behaviors among women of childbearing age in China

Zichong Long,Yanlin Wang,Jiajun Lyu,Yuanqing Xia,Lili Huang,Rong Li,Shenghui Li,Yiting Chen

doi:10.1186/s12905-022-01600-9

Abstract

BackgroundObesity among women of childbearing age has becoming an important public health concern. We aimed to describe the trends of central obesity among Chinese women of childbearing age from 2004 to 2011 and to examine its associations with nutrients intake and daily behaviors.MethodsLongitudinal data were derived from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Participants consisted of 2481 women aged 15–44 years old. WC (Waist circumference) and WHtR (Waist to height ratio) were adopted as indicators of central obesity. Generalized linear mixed model was performed to analyze the associations of nutrients intake and daily behaviors with central obesity.ResultsFrom 2004 to 2011, the prevalence of central obesity among Chinese women of childbearing age increased from 21.6 to 30.7% (WC as indice) or from 22.8 to 32.6% (WHtR as indice) (both p < 0.001). Protein intake above the AMDR (Acceptable macronutrient distribution range) (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.05–1.39, p < 0.01) and non-participation in LTPA (Leisure time physical activity) (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.17–1.80, p < 0.001) were risk factors for high WC, and the latter was also associated with high WHtR (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.10–1.67, p < 0.01). For those women who had high WC & high WHtR, the impacts of protein intake and LTPA became stronger, especial LTPA (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.21–1.94, p < 0.001). Age-stratified analyses found that non-participation in LTPA was key factor for central obesity in 15–34 age group, while protein intake above the AMDR was pronounced in the 35–44 age group.ConclusionsNon-participation in LTPA and protein intake above the AMDR were significant contributors of central obesity, which could be intervention targets to deal with the growing trend of central obesity among women of childbearing age.

Highlights

Obesity among women of childbearing age has becoming an important public health concern
Secular trends of central obesity, nutrients intake, and daily behaviors from 2004 to 2011 Table 1 shows the changes in central obesity, nutrients intake, and daily behaviors among Chinese women of childbearing age during the period from 2004 to 2011
Comparisons of nutrients intake and daily behaviors by participants with central obesity versus normal groups Table 2 shows the differences in nutrients intake and daily behaviors by central obesity vs. normal groups

Summary

Introduction

Obesity among women of childbearing age has becoming an important public health concern. We aimed to describe the trends of central obesity among Chinese women of childbearing age from 2004 to 2011 and to examine its associations with nutrients intake and daily behaviors. In 2011–2012, the prevalence of overweight/obesity among women aged 20–39 years in the US was 58.5% [2]. In China, a survey conducted in rural areas presented that the prevalence of overweight/obesity among women of 20–49 years old. Long et al BMC Women’s Health (2022) 22:12 was 24.8% during the period of 2011–2014 [3], another literature indicated that for Chinese women of 15–49 year old, the prevalence of overweight increased from 32.1 to 43.1%, and the prevalence of obesity increased from 5.3 to 10.0% from 2004 to 2015 [4]. Published data has provided evidence that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity was involved in childhood disease susceptibility, including obesity, cognitive or behavioral disorders, and even childhood allergic diseases [10, 11]

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