| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
Introduction: The prevalence of obesity has grown thrice globally between 1975 and 2016. According to World Health Organization, 650 million people aged 18 and over were obese worldwide in 2016. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity during 2017-2109 in the HUNT4 study.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study of participants aged ≥20 years from Trøndelag county was done. Data were collected from HUNT4 study where clinical examination and questionnaires were administered. Using R 4.0.2 software, statistical analysis was performed. The prevalence of obesity in % and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.
Results: The study included 52,523 participants with mean age 53.9 (17.1) years. The prevalence of obesity was 24.2%. Men had a higher obesity prevalence than women, 24.3% and 24.1% respectively. The prevalence of obesity among <40 was higher (28.0%) compared to >40 years. Participants who never engaged in physical activity had highest obesity prevalence. Among participants who had cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes the prevalence of obesity was highest than who did not had CVD and diabetes. The prevalence of obesity is lower in participants who had chronic disease compare to who did not had chronic disease.
Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was higher among men and younger age group <40 years. Risk factors were smoking, cardiovascular and chronic disease, diabetes, and physical activity. More attention is required to reduce obesity and its consequences. Health education about obesity, risk factors and prevention should be commenced. | |