JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Obesity is a national and global public health problem regarding morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. In 2014, 5% of the deaths worldwide were attributable to obesity, with an estimated economic impact of 2.8% of the global gross domestic product. A survey in 2008 showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Jordan. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of obesity, assess its trends, and determine its associated factors and associated comorbidities.

Objective:

determine the prevalence of obesity among Jordanian Adults

Methods:

A multipurpose national household survey was conducted among Jordanian adults over four months in 2017. Data were collected using a structured validated questionnaire. Obesity was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria

Results:

, age, place of living, and marital status were significantly associated with obesity among men and women. Obesity was significantly associated with increased odds of diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.1 for men and OR = 2.9 for women), hypertension (OR = 2.4 for men and OR = 2.5 for women), elevated triglyceride levels (OR = 2.5 for men and OR = 4.2 for women), and low High-Density Lipoprotein (OR = 2.2 for men and OR = 2.1 for women) after adjusting for age.

Conclusions:

Obesity in Jordan is high and is associated with other metabolic abnormalities. Well-defined programs to manage, control, and prevent obesity and intersectoral action are urgently required to reverse current trends in Jordan