Sex differences in obesity, dietary habits, and physical activity among urban middle-class Bangladeshis.
BACKGROUND
The sustained economic growth in Bangladesh during the previous decade has created a substantial middle-class population, who have adequate income to spend on food, clothing, and lifestyle management. Along with the improvements in living standards, has also come negative impact on health for the middle class. The study objective was to assess sex differences in obesity prevalence, diet, and physical activity among urban middle-class Bangladeshi.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2012, we randomly selected 402 adults from Mohammedpur, Dhaka. The sampling technique was multi-stage random sampling. We used standardized questionnaires for data collection and measured height, weight, and waist circumference.


RESULTS
Mean age (standard deviation) was 49.4 (12.7) years. The prevalence of both generalized (79% vs. 53%) and central obesity (85% vs. 42%) were significantly higher in women than men. Women reported spending more time watching TV and spending less time walking than men (p<.05); however, men reported a higher intake of unhealthy foods such as fast food and soft drinks.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the prevalence of obesity is significantly higher in urban middle-class Bangladeshis than previous urban estimates, and the burden of obesity disproportionately affects women. Future research and public health efforts are needed to address this severe obesity problem and to promote active lifestyles.
School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.
Juliann
J
Saquib
College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi Colleges, Saudi Arabia.
Nazmus
N
Saquib
School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA.
Marcia L
ML
Stefanick
Centre for Control of Chronic Diseases, International Center on Diarrheal Diseases and Research (ICDDR, B), Dhaka, Bangladesh; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Australia.
Masuma Akter
MA
Khanam
School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA.
Shuchi
S
Anand
City University of New York, USA.
Mahbubur
M
Rahman
School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA.
Glenn M
GM
Chertow
School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA.
Michele
M
Barry
Centre for Nutrition and Food Security, International Center on Diarrheal Diseases and Research (ICDDR, B), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Tahmeed
T
Ahmed
School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA.
Mark R
MR
Cullen
body mass index; global health; obesity; sex differences; women