Prevalence of overweight and Obesity among Different Age Groups of Population in Ernakulam District

Abstract

Obesity has become the leading metaboiic disorder in the world and is referred to as the global epidemic by WHO. Prevalence of obesity varies amongst countries depending upon environmental and behavioral changes brought about by economic development, modernization and urbanization. The variation in prevalence of obesity epidemic in various races and communities of the world may be attributed to heredity, age, sex, diet, eating patterns, life style and or behaviour1. Globally, 6.7 per cent are underweight, 25.7 per cent are overweight and 8.9 per cent are obese. More than 1.1 billion people are estimated to be overweight, of whom around 320 million are obese. WHO projects that by 2015, approximately 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese. Nearly 43 million children under the age of five were overweight in 20103. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2007-2008), over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight and over one-third are obese (around 66% overweight and 32% obese)', in India, obesity is emerging as an important health problem paradoxically co-existing with under nutrition.