An Epidemiological Study of Obesity Among Elderly in Chandigarh

The study was conducted in Union Territory of Chandigarh, a modern city in Northern India having a population of over 0.8 million 362 subjects over the age of 65 years were interviewed after having being selected through stratified random technique covering 7937 family members in 1882 houses.

This community based study assessed the prevalence of obestity and associated factors among elderly population.

Overweight (BMI>25kg/m2) was observed among 120 subjects (33.14%), obestity (BMI>30) in 28 (7.54%) of the elderly. 14.36% elderly subjects were undernourished (BMI<18.5)) Over weight/obesity was higher among females (42.1%) than males (20.9%). Prevalence of hypertension was 82.5% among overweight elderly in comparison to 45.87% among non-overweight/obese. Similarly probable diabetes was 15.0% and 9.92% in overweight and non-overweight elderly, respectively.

Overweight among one-third elderly reveals existence of a high prevalence. Higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among overweight elderly was observed. There is an urgent need to adopt multidisciplinary approach to weight control by awareness compaign and adopting strategies to increase physical activity and changing eating behaviour