The prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated risk factors in married, non-pregnant women born and living in high altitude, southwestern, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and it's associated risk factors in a married, non-pregnant, high altitude female population.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted from January to March 2003, with 438 currently married non-pregnant women aged 18-60 years, born and permanent residents in and around Abha, southwestern heights, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire describing the demographic, social, reproductive, physical activity, and educational status was completed. The subjects were measured by weight, height, and waist circumference (WC). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each woman (BMI=weight [Kg]/height [m2]). Abdominal obesity was defined as WC>88cm, and total obesity as BMI≥30 according to the World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of abdominal obesity was 41.1%. The prevalence was positively and significantly associated with age, total obesity, and parity (p=0.0001 for all), negatively and significantly with educational level (p=0.0001), and negatively and insignificantly with strenuous physical activity (p=0.9). Results of multiple logistic analyses showed that age, total obesity, and educational level were independent risk factors for abdominal obesity.

CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the high prevalence of abdominal obesity and showed that in addition to total obesity, intra-abdominal fat deposition is influenced by other lifestyle and reproductive factors. Community health education programs, which provide information on the high prevalence of abdominal obesity and its risk factor to all women, will be certainly justifiable, and prevention strategies should be implemented accordingly.