Relationship between Obesity/Overweight, Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Non communicable Diseases in Elderly: A Study from Central India

Rekha S. Sharma; Kimaya Rajhans(Late); Sabiha A. Vali

Volume : IV, Issue : X, October - 2014

Relationship between Obesity/Overweight, Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Non communicable Diseases in Elderly: A Study from Central India

Rekha S. Sharma, Kimaya Rajhans Late , Sabiha A. Vali

Abstract :

The present study describes the relationship between Obesity/Overweight and age, gender, family size, income, educational qualification and non communicable disease (NCD) status of elderly in Central India. This was a population based, cross–sectional study. 200 male and 200 female elderly (60 to 80 years) were selected by cluster and purposive sampling method from Nagpur City, Maharashtra, India. The results reveals that the mean weights and heights were significantly higher (p<0.01) in elderly males while mean BMI was significantly higher (p<0.01) in females. The mean weight and BMI reflected significant (p<0.01) decrease with advance in age. BMI classification showed 67.5 % of elderly males and 44.5 % females in normal category; 24.5% elderly males and 40.5% eldery females were in obesity grade I category (overweight); 1% and 7% elderly males and females were in obesity grade II (obese) respectively; however 7 % males and 8 % females had chronic energy deficiency. A significant association was observed between BMI and age (p<0.01) and gender (p<0.01). BMI of elderly did not show significant associations with family size (p = 0.763), education (p = 0.1187) and income (p = 0.124). The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and musculoskeletal diseases showed significant associations (p<0.01) between BMI and gender.