JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

A clear understanding of the socio-economic status (SES) and anthropometric indices risk factors related to body mass index (BMI) and hypertension categories are essential for more effective disease prevention in India. There is a paucity of nationally representative data on the dynamics of these risk factors and has not been assessed among healthy Indian women. The BMI categories for Asian Indians has been revised based on consensus guidelines and it becomes imperative to address existing gaps in evidence of these factors.

Objective:

To comprehend dynamics of the various socio-demographic factors, their association and evaluation of the pattern of BMI categories and prehypertension among healthy women from representative regions of the country using the revised consensus guidelines for Asian Indians

Methods:

We conducted a national population specific cross-sectional survey as a part of ICMR National Task Force study with a primary aim to estimate the national prevalence of PCOS and regional phenotypic variations among women with PCOS. This part of the study included 7107 healthy women (18-40 years) from six representative zones of India. Socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric estimates of these women were analysed. we examined the anthropometric indices like BMI using the revised consensus guidelines for Asian Indians and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the association between exposure and outcome variables

Results:

Of the 7107 study subjects, 3585 (50.4%) were from rural areas and 3522 (49.6%) from urban areas. The prevalence of obesity increased from 8.1% with the WHO criteria to 40% with the revised consensus guidelines for Asian Indians. Women from urban areas showed higher proportions for underweight (27.5%), obesity (40.6%), pre-hypertension (51.8%). A rising trend of obesity was observed with increase in age. Women aged 18-23 years were lean (43.4%), overweight (19.3%) as compared to women aged 36-40 years with obesity (49.2%) and overweight (23.7%). The proportion of obesity was high among South India women with 49.5% and 66.1% respectively using both WHO criteria and revised Indian guidelines for BMI. BMI with WC and WHtR have a statistically significant linear relationship (r=.417, p < .001) and (r=.422, p < .001) respectively. However, the magnitude, or strength, of the association is relatively weak (.3 < | r | < .5). Statistical analysis showed that the strongest predictors for being overweight or obese were older age, levels of education, wealth quintile and area of residence.

Conclusions:

Anthropometric and Socio-demographic characteristics are useful predictors for overweight and obesity-related syndromes including prehypertension among healthy Indian women. Increased attention to the health of healthy women by public health experts and policymakers is warranted. The findings of this study, can be leveraged to offer valuable insights, informing health decision-making and targeted interventions that mitigate risk factors of overweight, obesity and hypertension Clinical Trial: Clinical Trials Registry–India CTRI/2018/11/016252; ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=26366