Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated risk factors among adult residents of northwest China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveOverweight and obesity have been shown to be related to multiple chronic conditions, leading to a heavy economic burden on society throughout the world. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and determine potential influencing factors among adults in Xinjiang, northwest China.DesignA community-based observational study.SettingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University.MethodsIn total, 14 618 adult participants (7799 males; 6819 females) aged over 35 years were recruited from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey conducted in 2010. Data were obtained from face-to-face interviews and physical examinations. The sample was used to estimate the prevalence of overweight (body mass index (BMI) 24–28 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥28 kg/m2) in Xinjiang Province. Influencing factors were analysed based on statistical methods.ResultsIn Xinjiang Province, the overall prevalence of overweight was 36.5% (male 40.1%; female 33.4%), and the prevalence of obesity was 26.5% (male 27.2%; female 25.8%). The prevalence of both overweight and obesity were higher in women than in men (p<0.001). The main influencing factors for overweight and obesity were sex, age, race, marital status, education level, occupation, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia (p<0.05).ConclusionsThis study estimated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult residents of Xinjiang Province, northwest China, was high. These data suggest that efforts related to the prevention and control of overweight and obesity should be a public health priority in northwest China.

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“…Obesity is caused by a complex interaction between the environment, genetic predisposition, and human behaviour. The high prevalence of overweight/obesity (nearly 40%) among respondents is consistent with findings of other studies which suggest rates of 30-50% [6,10,12]. The study found that being middle-aged; living in an urban community; not having regular physical activity and being a female were significant risk factors for overweight/obesity.…”

“…There is no active and sustainable implementation of concise national policies on exercise and health promotion strategies targeting overweight/obesity as issues of public health concern. The association of female sex with overweight or obesity is in tandem with findings of other studies conducted globally [6,21,22]. Hormone-driven deposition of fat in the buttocks, hips, breast and abdomen occurs throughout the reproductive ages and predisposes women to overweight/obesity.…”

“…In Iran 34% of women and 10% of men have abdominal obesity. In Xinjiang Province in China the prevalence of obesity and overweight are 26.5% and 36.5% respectively with female dominance [6]. In Cote D'Ivoire 50.8% of adults have abdominal obesity [7] while the most recent South African Demographic Health Survey (SADHS 2016) estimated the prevalence of overweight/obesity among South Africans to be 68% and 31% for women and men respectively [8].…”

“…Risk factors for obesity and overweight are very diverse. Several studies have identified age, sex, educational level, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, consumption of high fat diet, multiparity and ownership of certain home appliances (television, telephone and refrigerators) as risk factors of overweight/obesity [6,10,11]. Middle-age presents significant risk for abnormally high BMI among people of varied sociodemographic backgrounds.…”

“…Chowdhury et al (2018) observed a five-fold increase in trend of overweight/obesity among Bangladeshi women between 1999 and 2014 with the steepest rise among 35-44 years [13]. Among males the prevalence peaks around middle age (45-54 years) while in women the age group 50-70 has the highest prevalence [6,10].…”