A Study of Obesity Prevalence in the Rural Population in Turkey: Güzelyurt (Aksaray) Example

• Main Authors: Derya IŞIKLAR ÖZBERK, Ömer ÖZBERK
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Publishing House 2020-10-01
• Series: Bezmiâlem Science
• Subjects: obesity prevalence; rural; body mass index; waist-to-height ratio; waist/hip circumference ratio; neck circumference
• Online Access: http://bezmialemscience.org/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/a-study-of-obesity-prevalence-in-the-rural-populat/41763
• ISSN: 2148-2373; 2148-2373

Objective: Obesity is a common health problem in almost all societies. The aim of this study was to investigate obesity in rural areas.Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study included patients who applied to Güzelyurt District Hospital in September-November 2018 for any reason over 18 years of age. Body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR), waistto- height ratio (WHtR), and blood pressure measurements were evaluated. In addition, age, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, smoking habits, the disease was diagnosed, whether the drug was recorded.Results: The mean age of the 191 participants was 46.8±15.6 years, 79.1% were female, 36.6% were primary school graduates, 72.8% were housewives, 85.9% living in town or village. The frequency of obesity 46.6%, 51.7% in females, 27.5% in males. Abdominal obesity; according to WC, 25.0% males, 68.2% females, according to WHR, 70.0% males, 57.6% females, and according to WHtR, 77.5% males and 90.7% females. There was a moderate positive correlation between the age and BMI. BMI was strong positively significantly correlated with WHtR, WC and HC, a weaker correlation between BMI to NC and WHR.Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was 46.6%. It is possible to say that such a high rate in living conditions does not allow sedentary life and families with low socioeconomic status have such a high rate. Obesity is health problem of our age in rural areas.