A comparison study on the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among city, township and rural area adults in China

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore the association of dietary behaviour factors on obesity among city, township and rural area adults.SettingA stratified cluster sampling technique was employed in the present cross-sectional study. On the basis of socioeconomic characteristics, two cities, two townships and two residential villages were randomly selected where the investigation was conducted.ParticipantsA total of 1770 city residents, 2071 town residents and 1736 rural area residents participated in this survey.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDietary data were collected through interviews with each household member. Anthropometric values were measured. Participants with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥28.0 kg/m2 were defined as obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was 10.1%, 7.3% and 6.5% among city, township and rural area adults, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that for adults living in cities, the daily intake of rice and its products, wheat flour and its products, light coloured vegetables, pickled vegetables, nut, pork and sauce was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.112, 0.084, 0.109, 0.129, 0.077, 0.078, 0.125, p<0.05), while the daily intake of tubers, dried beans, milk and dairy products was negatively correlated with BMI (r=−0.086, −0.078, −0.116, p<0.05). For township residents, the daily intake of vegetable oil, salt, chicken essence, monosodium glutamate and sauce was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.088, 0.091, 0.078, 0.087, 0.189, p<0.05). For rural area residents, the daily intake of pork, fish and shrimp, vegetable oil and salt was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.087, 0.122, 0.093, 0.112, p<0.05), while the daily intake of dark coloured vegetables was negatively correlated with BMI (r=−0.105, p<0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of obesity was higher among city residents than among township and rural area residents. The findings of this study indicate that demographic and dietary factors could be associated with obesity among adults. Healthy dietary behaviour should be promoted and the ongoing monitoring of population nutrition and health status remains crucially important.

The Rural-Urban Difference in BMI and Anemia among Children and Adolescents

“…The potential causes of urban-rural differences may be related to the socioeconomic conditions. Children and adolescents living in urban areas often live with better socioeconomic conditions and less physical activity, as well as different dietary patterns, compared with those living in rural areas, which was consistent with our previous reported study among adults [15]. The findings of this study indicate the double burden of malnutrition in Zhejiang province, characterized by a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and anemia among children and a high prevalence of anemia among adolescents living in townships.…”

A Theory of Planned Behavior‐Based Program to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight/Obese Military Personnel: A Randomised Controlled Trial

“…In the United States, 34 per cent of adults aged 20 years old or over are obese and the number of people with obesity in the United Kingdom exceeds 30 per cent (Hales, Fryar, Carroll, Freedman, & Ogden, 2018;Morrell & Fox, 2009). Between 40 and 60 per cent of the adult populations of Asian countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are likewise either overweight or obese (Al-Quwaidhi, Pearce, Critchley, Sobngwi, & O'Flaherty, 2014;Ustu et al, 2012;Zou et al, 2015). Based on several populationbased studies among Iranians, the prevalence of overweight or obesity (OO) in different areas of the country ranges from 30 to 52 per cent (Najafipour et al, 2016;Rahmani et al, 2015).…”

Usefulness of the metabolic syndrome diagnosis in obese children in clinical practice

“…The welfare and Western lifestyle and dietary patterns may cause this situation. Some of studies confirm the fact that the prevalence of obesity is higher among city residents than among township and rural area residents [14]. By contrast other works reported higher prevalence in obesity in rural areas [15].…”