Socio-economic and Medical Predictors for Obesity among Women Aged 50 Years and More: Case-Control Study

B. Al-Youzbaki, Dhafer

	Socio-economic and Medical Predictors for Obesity among Women Aged 50 Years and More: Case-Control Study
IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Article 1, Volume 22, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 80-87
Author
Dhafer B. Al-Youzbaki
Abstract
Background: Obesity is now reaching epidemic proportions and is increasingly recognized as an important public health problem. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown it to be associated with increased risks of morbidity, disability and mortality. Aim: To examine the impact of different socio-economic and medical characteristics on the development of obesity in women more than 50 years. Study design: Case-control study, where 125 obese women proved by standard anthropometric measures were allocated as cases. Another 125 women proved to be not obese also by standard anthropometric measures were considered as controls. Study period: 1st. February 2007 to 1st. October 2007. Data collection tools: Including, assessment of socio-economic features such as personal characteristics, life events and social context. In addition, previous history of surgical operation, parity, abortion and the presence of one or more of chronic non-communicable diseases were also gained. Social class identification according to occupational social classification then was obtained. Results: Regarding Personal Characteristics; positive family history was found to be significantly associated with the development of obesity (P=0.000), the same thing was applied to sedentary life styles (P=0.000). Furthermore, unhealthy dietary behavior was again significantly associated with the occurrence of obesity (P=0.000). Personality type B, also found to be associated with development of obesity (P=0.000). According to Life Events; only social discontinuities in this work appears to be significantly associated with the development of obesity (P= 0.008). According to Other Variables, the presence of one or more of chronic non-communicable diseases is found to be associated with the occurrence of obesity (P=0.000), and high parity shows significant association in the development of obesity (P=0.004). A significant association between social class III and obesity was also found (P= 0.022), while social class V plays a significant protection against the development of obesity (P= 0.004). Conclusion: Women with positive family history, sedentary life, unhealthy dietary behavior, personality type B, social discontinuities, chronic diseases, high parity and being in social class III, are at risk for development of obesity. Key words: Socio-economic, obese, women.
Keywords
socio; Economic; obese; women

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