Obesity, overweight and underweight among adults in an urban community in Yemen

Abstract

High body mass index [‎BMI]‎ is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality, while low BMI is an indicator of undernutrition; both may be concerns in low-income countries. This cross-sectional, primary-care based study aimed to measure the sex and age-specific mean BMI and estimate the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight among adults in an urban community in Sana'a, Yemen. A total of 2500 subjects [‎919 males and 1581 females]‎ were recruited in 2006. The crude mean BMI for all ages was significantly higher in females [‎23.9 [‎SD 5.1]‎ kg/m2]‎ than males [‎21.8 [‎SD 8.9]‎ kg/m2]‎. The mean BMI trend was associated with age, with a peak in the age group 35-44 years. Calculated prevalence showed 18.0% of males and 14.6% of females were overweight (‎BMI >/=25 kg/m2]‎ and 2.5% of males and 12.4% of females were obese [‎BMI >/=0 kg/m2]‎. In contrast a substantial number of subjects were underweight [‎BMI < 18.5 kg/m2]‎: 20.1% of males and 14.6% of females