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INCREASING OBESITY AND ITS RISK FACTORS
Authors: Maria Altaf & Kisa Fatima
Number of views: 313
Obesity has been a target tool for research for its prevention and treatment because of its association with various
metabolic dysfunctions. Increased adipose tissue distribution leads to progressive increase in hypertension and
cardiovascular disease prevalence. It was a prospective study conducted at Fatima Jinnah Dental College and Dow
Institute of Medical Technology (DUHS) Karachi, from February 2012 to January 2013Seventy five subjects (54
girls and 21 boys) were randomly selected of ages 18-25 years.BMI, waist hip ratio and neck circumference was
observed to determine obesity. Questionnaires were administered to ascertain biographical data, lifestyles behaviors
including dietary habits and diet plan (healthy food/junk food), binge eating, family history for obesity, habits of
cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, patterns of daily physical activity. According to the anthropometric
measurements out of seventy five individuals 20% were underweight, 34.7% were normal, 21% overweight, 17%
obese and 6.7% were morbidly obese. 32% of people are mostly dependant on junk food, 45.2 % people are
occasionally dependant on junk food and only 22.7% people rely on homemade food, 36% individuals were
physically active and 64% people were leading sedentary life style lack of time due to their academic schedule or lack
of interest. In this context, two main factors appear to participate in body-weight maintenance: dietary habits and
physical activity. Effective prevention and management of obesity requires an integrated approach, with intervention
across different segments of the population through adequate information and public awareness programs.