BMI, Waist to Hip Ratio, Body Fat and Blood Pressure of Urban Women from Low and Lower Middle Income Group

Ms Monica G. Oak; Dr Padmini Ghugre

Volume : VI, Issue : IX, September - 2016

BMI, Waist to Hip Ratio, Body Fat and Blood Pressure of Urban Women from Low and Lower Middle Income Group

Ms Monica G. Oak, Dr Padmini Ghugre

Abstract :

India is witnessing rapid urbanization and improvement in economy. Consumption of energy is increasing along with decreasing physical activity. As a result, incidence of non communicable diseases (NCDs) is on rise. Objective of the present study is to examine the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among women (n=1500) belonging to low and lower middle income group residing in slums in Mumbai. Our study reported that 58.8% women from low and lower middle income group were overweight and obese. It is also observed that 43.4% women were prehypertensive and 12.8% were hypertensive. Age was positively and significantly associated with body mass index, waist to hip ratio, waist circumference, body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is concluded that women from low and lower middle socioeconomic status in India show the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and are at risk of non communicable diseases. Therefore there is need for intervention.