The Comparative Study of Obesity among Mothers with Different Ethnic Groups in Northern IRAN

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the prevalence of obesity and some related factors in the villages around Gorgan which is a multi-racial and capital city of Golestan Province, northern Iran.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 2854 women participated. Interviewers recorded the data using the question­naire. Subjects were weighed on scales and had their height, waist, and hip circumferences. Economic status was categorized based on 10 consumer items considered necessary for modern-day life (Low >=3, Moderate = 4-6 and Good= 7-10). Three ethnic groups were compared in this study: Fars (native), Turkman and Sistani. This study carried out in rural area of Golestan Province in 2004.
Results: Body Mass Index (BMI) in ranges of (25-29.9), (30-39.9) and (>=40) was observed in 28.3%, 15.9% and 0.5% of the subject, respectively. The frequency of BMI over 25 among Fars(native), Turkman and Sistani mothers was 64.3%, 43.4% and 32.9%, respectively and statistical differences was significant (P< 0.02). In 39.1% of these women, the Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) exceeded 0.8 and the index was higher in Turkman women compared with other groups. The frequency of economic status was 34.7%, 50.8% and 55.9%, respectively, without any significant difference. The preva­lence of obesity in literate women was significantly higher than in illiterate women (P< 0.04).
Conclusion: Obesity is a common health problem among women in the rural areas of Gorgan and this abnormality is var­ied among three different ethnic groups in this region.