Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Women of Reproductive Age in Cambodia: Analysis of Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

IntroductionOverweight and obesity are associated with increased rates of chronic disease and death globally. In Cambodia, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women is high and may be growing. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (WRA) in Cambodia.MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2021-2022 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) that used a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Data analysis was restricted to non-pregnant women, resulting in an analytic sample of 9,417 WRA. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed using STATA V17 to examine factors associated with overweight and obesity.ResultsPrevalence of overweight and obesity among non-pregnant women of reproductive age were 22.56% and 5.61% were overweight and obese respectively. Factors independently associated with increased odds of overweight and/or obesity included women aged 20-29 years [AOR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.22 - 2.80], 30-39 years [AOR=3.34; 95% CI: 2.21 - 5.04] and 40-49 years [AOR=5.57; 95% CI: 3.76 - 8.25], married women [AOR=2.49; 95% CI: 1.71 - 3.62], women from middle wealth quintile [AOR=1.21; 95% CI : 1.02 - 1.44], and rich wealth quintile [AOR=1.44 ; 95% CI: 1.19 - 1.73], having at least three children or more [AOR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.00 - 1.95], ever drink alcohol [AOR=1.24 ; 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.47], and current drink alcohol [AOR=1.2; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.45]. On the contrary, following factors were independently associated with decreased odds of having overweight and obese: women with at least secondary education [AOR=0.73; 95% CI: 0.58-0.91], and working in in manual labor jobs [AOR=0.76; 95% CI: (0.64 - 0.90].ConclusionIncreased age, married women, having at least three children and alcohol consumption were the main risk factors associated with overweight and/or obesity. Conversely, higher education, and working in manual labor were negatively associated with overweight and/or obesity. Cambodia’s non-communicable disease (NCD) public health programs should consider these characteristic for targeting interventions to further reduce overweight and/or obesity in the coming years.