PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Lawati, Jawad A.
AU  - Jousilahti, Pekka J.
TI  - Prevalence and 10-year secular trend of obesity in Oman
DP  - 2004 Mar 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 346--351
VI  - 25
IP  - 3
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/3/346.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/3/346.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2004 Mar 01; 25
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity by age, gender and region and to assess the difference between rural and urban populations and determine the trends of the past decade.METHODS: Analysis of nationally represented samples from 2 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1991 and 2000, containing 5,086 and 6,400 Omani citizens aged >=20 years. Body mass index (BMI) (weight in kg) divided by height (in meters squared) was calculated using measured height and weight data. Overweight was defined as BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI >= 30 kg/m2.RESULTS: In the year 2000, the age adjusted prevalence of obesity reached 16.7% in men, compared to 10.5% in 1991 (p<0.001). In women, the prevalence was 23.8% in 2000, compared to 25.1% in 1991 (p=0.231). Similarly, the prevalence of overweight increased among men, from 28.8-32.1% (p=0.011) and decreased among women, from 29.5-27.3% (p=0.053). When obesity and overweight were combined, there was a significant increase in men (9.5%; p for the change <0.001) and decrease in women (3.5%; p for the change <0.003). Obesity and overweight combined was markedly more common in the Southern part of Oman (70%) compared to Northern areas (32-57%). People living in urban areas were more obese (21.1%) than those living in the rural communities (13.1%) (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity is high in Oman and has increased predominantly among men. Primary prevention programs are needed to counteract this condition and its cardiovascular and metabolic complications.