ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES AS PREDICTIVE FACTOR FOR OBESITY AMONG FEMALE INDIGENOUS ADULT POPULATION OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Background : Obesity is an urban phenomenon that has spread to the rural community at an alarming
rate. The study assessed the prevalence of obesity mainly among female adult indigenous community of
Peninsular Malaysia.
Material and Methods : A total of 222 female aboriginal adults (age >19 years) representing nine (9)
villages from four districts of Perak region participated in the study. Demographic, socio- economic and
education background were collected using validated, pre-tested questionnaire. Anthropometric
measurements for height, weight, waist/hip circumference were taken. Body Mass Index (BMI) and
Waist-to- hip ratio (WHR) were used as indices for measuring obesity.
Results : Based on the cut-off point for BMI by WHO for Asian population 22.5% (n=50) were overweight
and 56.8% (n=126) were obese. The presence of abdominal obesity as measured by WHR reveals 58% of
the aboriginal women to have abdominal obesity. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was visibly
high among the middle age group (36- 50 years) with 59% and 8% respectively followed by the age
group of 51 - 65 years with 24% and 10% for obesity and overweight. There was a marked decline in
obesity after 65 years. Intake of starchy foods and physical inactivity contribute to the escalating
overweight and obesity among the indigenous female adult population.
Conclusion : One in two women were found to be obese. Early intervention, proper dietary practices
and increased physical activity have to be planned and implemented to curb this serious threat among
the marginalized community.