Prevalence and Incidence of Obesity, Overweight & Abdominal Obesity in Adults: A 5-year Longitudinal Study in Ahvaz (2009-2014)

Objective: The data on the changes in the prevalence of obesity and overweight could help policy makers to make better plans for improving the health status of people; hence, the aim of his study is to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity in Ahvaz during five years. Materials and Methods: Cohort study was the method of choice in this survey, conducted on 605 people aged over 20 years who were selected among the people covered by health centers in Ahvaz. The participants weight, height, and waist circumferences were measured two times in 2009 and 2014. The incidence and prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and overweight were evaluated. The SPSS 22 statistical software was used to analyze the data, and paired T-test to compare the level of changes. The significant level for P-value < 0.05. Results: Among 605 people aged over 20 years, the prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity in 2009 and 2014 were respectively: overweight (40% and 38.50%), obesity (26.90% and 27.10%), and abdominal obesity (26.80% and 33. 90%).This prevalence increased from 11.70% to 14.90% in men and from 39.90% to 50.50% in women. The incidence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity were respectively 102.50, 22.50 and 76.5 per 1000 person’s year in Ahvaz people. Conclusion: The findings of our study showed that the prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity in adult population in Ahvaz is high. Also, the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity in women is higher than men; therefore special attention must be paid to this issue in women. Also the age groups 35-64 years are higher risk