Association between Sociodemographic Profile and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Rural Population of North India

Abstract

A healthy society is one of the requirements for sustainable human development in every country. The socio-demographic transition has brought major changes in the health behaviours and health profile of developing countries. Global burden of disease has continued to shift from communicable to noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and from premature deaths to years lived with disability.

In most middle- and high-income countries, NCDs are responsible for more deaths than all other causes of death combined, with almost all high-income countries, reporting the proportion of NCD deaths to total deaths to be more than 70% (WHO, 2010).¹ India is currently facing a double burden of malnutrition with obesity emerging as an epidemic among the affluent. A significant value of the population has been found to be under-nutrition, which has been prevalent in different sections of the society. This epidemic has affected all socioeconomic groups irrespective of age, gender, and ethnicity. ² There is an untoward association of Body mass Index with the socio-demographic profile.

The major (modifiable) behavioural risk factors identified in the World Health Report 2002, are tobacco use, harmful alcohol intake, unhealthy diet (low fruits and vegetables consumption), and lack of physical activity. Of all the risk factors of NCDs, tobacco and alcohol use are two leading modifiable factors. On the other hand, the major biological risk factors identified are overweight and obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose levels, and raised total cholesterol. Common risk factors for most NCDs are preventable.³

The rapid industrialization, urbanization, and globalization is associated with high prevalence of risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, tobacco and alcohol abuse in low and middle income countries (SEANET-NCD, 2007). ³

Overweight and obesity defined as having body mass index (BMI) has significant impact on health and has reached epidemic proportion, globally. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2013 study estimated that number of overweight and obese individuals has increased from 921 million in 1980 to 2.1 billion in 2013. ⁴ Worldwide, overweight and obesity is attributed to 3.4 million deaths and 3.8% of Disability Adjusted Life Years. High BMI, both directly and mediated through high blood pressure and cholesterol, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular deaths. ⁵

In order to take effective prevention measures, identification of the risk factors is an essential prerequisite. Little is known about the prevalence of the risk factor coupled with little data available on the dietary habits, physical activity and other lifestyle associated factors in the District. As the disease burden has also shifted from the older age group to the more productive middle age group. Workplaces having productive populations need special attention owing to their higher vulnerability for NCDs. Therefore this study was conducted to know the association between sociodemographic profile and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Rural population of North India.