Social determinants of obesity in Kalutara District

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To describe social, cultural and economic determinants of obesity in a representative population in Kalutara METHODS: A cross sectional survey carried out among adults of 35 to 64 years. Applying a stratified random duster sampling method from urban, rural and plantation sectors, 1300 participants were selected. Data gathered using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The body mass index of 23.01 kg/m2-27.50kg/ m2 was considered as overweight and >27.51kg/m2 as obese. Waist circumference (WC) of >90cm and >80cm was regarded as high for men and women respectively. Significance of prevalence of diseases and risk factors across different socio-economic strata were determined by chi square test for trend. RESULTS: Of 1234 adults who were screened age and sex adjusted prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity (high WC) were 33.2%, 14.3% and 33.6% respectively. The Muslim population had the highest prevalence of all three categories. Sector, education, income, social status quintiles and area level deprivation categories show-an inverse gradient in obesity categories, mean BM! and mean WC. The differences observed for mean BM! and mean WC between the lowest and .highest groups in these socioeconomic factors were significant. CONCLUSION: There is an inverse gradient of overweight, obese and centrally obese with higher prevalence observed in the more affluent, educated, urban and high income segments of society. In Sri Lanka those in the higher socio economic categories are still at a higher risk of being overweight, obese and having abdominal obesity.