Prevalence of Undernutrition and Overweight or Obesity Among the Bengali Muslim Population of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background
Poor nutritional conditions, as well as excess adiposity levels, are the major public health problems of developing countries like India.
Objectives
The aim of the present investigation were to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and overweight or obesity and their associations with certain socio-economic and demographic variables.
Subjects and Methods
The present community-based cross-sectional investigation was undertaken among 420 adult Bengali Muslim individuals (males: 182; females: 238) aged 18-59 years and residing in rural areas of Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight were recorded using standard procedures and Body mass index (BMI= Weight/Height kg/m2) was calculated. Prevalence of undernutrition (BMI<18.50 kg/m2) and overweight or obesity (BMI≥25.00 kg/m2) were determined using World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs. The statistical analyses of descriptive statistics, ANOVA, chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression (BLR) analysis was performed using SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL USA; version 17.0.
Results
The overall mean height (164.22 cm vs. 152.65 cm), weight (57.03 kg vs. 48.70 kg) and BMI (21.18 kg/m2 vs. 20.89 kg/m2) were observed to be significantly higher among men than women (p<0.05). The overall prevalence of undernutrition and overweight or obesity were observed to be 22.86% and 12.86%, respectively. The BLR analysis showed associations of lower age group (i.e., 20-29 years) (odds ratio: 1.65) (p<0.05) and occupation (odds ratio: 5.61) (p<0.01) with undernutrition. Overweight or obesity was also observed to be statistically significantly associated with smaller family size (odds ratio: 2.09) (p<0.05).

Conclusion
The present investigation indicates the simultaneous existence of double burden of malnutrition (i.e., both under- and overnutrition) among the Bengali Muslim adults of West Bengal, India. Appropriate intervention programmes are necessary to improve the overall nutritional situation.