Body Composition Measures among Adults in Coastal and Urban Areas of Ernakulam District, Kerala

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Authors

  • Department of Home Science, St.Teresa's College, Ernakulam, Kerala ,IN
  • Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu ,IN

Abstract

Nutritional, demographic, epidemio- logical and socio-economic transitions are occurring in many developing countries. This "nutritional transition" encompasses changes in a range of risk factors and diseases. Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial disorder that develops from an interaction of social behavioural, cultural, physiological, metabolic and genetic factors. Globally, 6.7 per cent are underweight, 25.7 per cent are overweight and 8.9 per cent are obese. In India, obesity is emerging as an important health problem paradoxically co-existing with under nutrition. The prevalence of obesity in India is 16 per cent in women and 12.1 per cent in men.