association of body mass index with digestive symptoms and signs in northwest of iran

aim : to evaluate the association between body mass index (bmi) and certain digestive symptoms and signs. background : obesity is of substantial health significance all over the world, and it is categorized by the world health organization among top ten global health problems. there is much evidence that indicates a higher prevalence of digestive symptoms in obese people. patients and methods : this cross-sectional study was conducted in city of tabriz in north-west of iran. one-thousand and seventy-one families with 4225 members were randomly selected. the association of digestive symptoms and signs with bmi was assessed. results : of 4225 family members, 2485 who were above 18 years old agreed to participate in the study. the prevalence of obesity was 20.1%, and 33.3% were overweight.  there was a positive relation between increased bmi and specific digestive symptoms. constipation (p=0.043), bloating (p=0.03), dysphagia (p=0.024), protruding anal mass (p conclusion : in our community, increased bmi is associated with increased digestive symptoms and signs such as constipation, bloating, dysphagia, anal mass, hepatomegaly, and abdominal tenderness in deep palpation.