title: Urbanisation and geographic variation of overweight and obesity in India: a cross-sectional analysis of the Indian Demographic Health Survey 2005-2006.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the nationwide geographic variation of overweight and obesity in India, as well as a range of potential correlates of excess body fat.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted cross-sectional analyses of the 2005-2006 Indian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS), based on 161,050 individuals (age range 18-54 years). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios (OR) of overweight and obesity compared to normal weight with associated correlates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence was 12.4% for overweight, 3.2% for obesity, and 26.5% for underweight. After multivariate adjustment, obesity was nearly thrice more likely in urban areas than in rural (OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.53-2.94). Women were 2.71 times more likely to be obese than men (95% CI 2.50-2.95). Better socioeconomic status was significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Overweight (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.31-1.47) and obesity (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.32-1.61) were most likely to occur in India's Southern zone, when controlled for confounding factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-risk estimates for overweight/obesity in urban settings, along with socioeconomic prowess in India and the resulting nutritional transition make a compelling case for public health policy on healthy lifestyles to avert the growing burden of non-communicable diseases associated with overweight/obesity.
authors.affiliation: Statistics and Epidemiology Team, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK, saadt16@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saad T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Ngianga-Bakwin
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Kandala
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stranges
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D062306:Geography, Medical; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014505:Urban Population / Q000639:trends*; D055815:Young Adult