Search

Background: Overweight /obesity is a global public health concern. It is higher among women than men in most continents of the world. This study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution and determinants of changes in overweight/obesity over time among urban women in Ethiopia., Methods: We used data from three consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys in Ethiopia (2005, 2011, and 2016). The total weighted sample of 1112 in 2005, 3569 in 2011, and 3071 in 2016 urban women were included in the analysis. The primary outcome measure of this study was the spatiotemporal distribution and trends over time in overweight/obesity. Factors contributing to change in overweight/obesity were examined using a logit-based multivariate decomposition analysis., Results: Overweight/obesity increased from 14.2% in 2005 to 21% in 2016. Approximately 61.3% of the overall increase in overweight/obesity among urban women was due to the difference in coefficient (difference in the effect of characteristics) across the surveys. Changes in the composition of women aged 25-49 years (β = 0.012, 95% CI 0.008, 0.015), married women (β = 0.010, 95% CI 0.006, 0.014), women with formal education (primary: β = 0.007, 95% CI 0.003, 0.011, higher education: β = 0.014, 95% CI 0.006, 0.022), women with formal employment (β = 0.006, 95% CI 0.001, 0.011), and women with informal employment (β = - 0.002, 95% CI - 0.003, - 0.0004) were factors contributing to the change in overweight/obesity from 2005 to 2016. The risk difference (RD) in women's overweight/obesity significantly varied across regions in urban Ethiopia. Furthermore, a high proportion of overweight/obesity was found mainly in Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, and Addis Ababa., Conclusions: The rate of overweight/obesity among women in urban Ethiopia has shown a significant increase over the last 11 years. This rate change was due to changes in the composition of women's age, educational status, marital status, and employment status. Therefore, program interventions should be targeted at older (> 25 years), educated, married, Addis Ababa residents, and formally employed women., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Nutritional, epidemiological and demographic transitions have been associated with the emergence of the double burden of malnutrition globally. In Ethiopia, there has been no nationally representative investigation of trends and determinants of both underweight and overweight/obesity among urban women. This study examined the trends and determinants of underweight and overweight/obesity in urban Ethiopian women from 2000 to 2016., Methods: Trends in the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity were investigated based on a series of the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data for the years 2000 (n = 2559), 2005 (n = 1112), 2011 (n = 3569), and 2016 (n = 3106). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural, and community-level factors with underweight and overweight/obesity., Results: The prevalence of underweight in urban Ethiopian women reduced significantly from 23.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.3, 26.3%) in 2000 to 14.8% (95% CI: 13.1, 16.7%) in 2016, while overweight/obesity increased significantly from 10.9% (95% CI: 9.1, 13.0%) in 2000 to 21.4% (95% CI: 18.2, 25.1%) in 2016. Urban women from rich households and those who had never married were less likely to be underweight. Urban women who were from wealthy households and those who attained at least secondary education were more likely to be overweight/obese. Women who were informally employed and listened to the radio were less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those who were unemployed and did not listen to the radio, respectively., Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 2000 to 2016, with a concurrent reduction in the prevalence of underweight. Interventions aiming to reduce overweight and obesity should target urban women with higher education, those who resided in wealthier households and those who watched the television.

A quarter of 400 million urban Indian residents are poor. Urban poor women are as undernourished as or worse than rural women but urban averages mask this disparity. We present the spectrum of malnutrition and their determinants for more than 26,000 urban women who gave birth within 5 years from the last two rounds of Demographic Health Survey 2006 and 2016. Among urban mothers in the lowest quartile by wealth index (urban poor), 12.8% (95% CI [11.3%, 14.5%]) were short or with height < 145 cm; 20.6% (95% CI [19%, 22.3%]) were thin or with body mass index < 18.5 kg/m 2 ; 57.4% (95% CI [55.5%, 59.3%]) had any anaemia (haemoglobin < 12 g/dL), whereas 32.4% (95% CI [30.5%, 34.3%]) had moderate to severe anaemia; and 21.1% (95% CI [19.3%, 23%]) were obese (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ). Decadal gains were significant for thinness reduction (17p.p.) but obesity increased by 12 p.p. Belonging to a tribal household increased odds of thinness by 1.5 (95% CI [1.06, 2.18]) times among urban poor mothers compared with other socially vulnerable groups. Secondary education reduced odds of thinness (0.61; 95% CI [0.48, 0.77]) and higher education of short stature (0.41; 95% CI [0.18, 0.940]). Consuming milk/milk products, pulses/beans/eggs/meats, and dark green leafy vegetables daily reduced the odds of short stature (0.52; 95% CI [0.35, 0.78]) and thinness (0.72; 95% CI [0.54, 0.98]). Urban poor mothers should be screened for nutritional risks due to the high prevalence of all forms of malnutrition and counselled or treated as per risk., (© 2020 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: The escalating prevalence of overweight and obesity globally is reflected amongst urban women in many low-to-middle income countries. Evidence also shows that overweight and obesity is an increasing trend in Bangladesh. The present study assessed the prevalence and socioeconomic determinants of overweight and obesity among urban women in Bangladesh., Methods: Data were extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014. A two-stage stratified sampling technique has been used for data collection in this cross-sectional survey. A sample of 1701 ever-married non-pregnant urban women aged 15-49 years was selected for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis, multiple binomial logistic regression analysis were executed in this study., Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34% (95% CI, 0.30-0.38) among urban Bangladeshi women. The probability of being overweight and obese increased with increasing age and wealth index. The likelihood of being overweight and obese among the oldest women surveyed (40-49 years) was 4.3 times (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.1-8.8) higher relative to the youngest women (15-19 years). The wealthiest women had 4.1 times (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.5-6.7) higher likelihood of being overweight and obese compared to the reference group of poorest women. Women having higher education (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.6) were more likely to be overweight and obese. However, women who were no longer living with their husband or separated from their husband were (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8) less likely to be overweight and obese., Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a large number of urban women were overweight and obese in Bangladesh. Women having higher levels of education, being older and belonging in both poorer and richest wealth quintile were at risk of being overweight and obese. Appropriate health promoting interventions based on these factors should be envisaged to reduce this problem.

Background: This study sought to compare the prevalence of underweight and overweight among ever-married, non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Bangladesh by urban or rural residency status. Methods: This study used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2017 data. Cross-sectional study design with two-stage stratified sampling method was employed. A sample of ever-married non-pregnant women of reproductive age was selected and multinomial logistic regression was utilised in analysis. Results: It was found that around half of rural women (45.0%, N = 4,934) and more than half of urban women (60.3%, n = 3,913) were overweight. Nearly one in seven rural women (14.0%, n = 1,537) and 1 in 12 urban women (9.0%, n = 564) were reported as underweight. Our analyses revealed that being overweight was substantially connected with age, husband's occupation, economic status, television access, and division for both urban and rural areas. Women from poor households were significantly more likely to be underweight than women from middle- income households for both urban (P < 0.05; OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.94) and rural (P < 0.05; OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.46) areas. Interestingly, women without television access both in urban (P < 0.001; OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.91) and rural (P < 0.001; OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.84) areas had an inverse association with overweight/obesity compared to women with television access. In both areas, women in Sylhet and Mymensingh had higher likelihood of being underweight than Barisal division. Additionally, in both residential zones, women in Sylhet had lower likelihood of being overweight than Barisal division. Conclusion: This study reveals that multiple characteristics are linked to both overweight and underweight among ever-married, non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Bangladesh. Addressing these variables should be a priority in public health efforts to combat the dual challenge of malnutrition in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising worldwide, but it is more common among women in India. To put a stop to this epidemic, we need to pinpoint the causes of obesity in young women. Methods: A case-control study of this magnitude has been conducted at Tertiary Care Centre, from period of October 2021 to September 2022. Cases and controls were selected at random from the pool of people who participated in a cross-sectional study on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results: There were 110 cases and 50 controls in the research. Women from the elite and upper middle classes had an odds ratio of 2.74 times greater of being obese or overweight than women from other lower socioeconomic classes, when comparing the two groups on an unadjusted basis. Several risk factors for being overweight were identified after controlling for age and socioeconomic status: having a history of hyperlipidemia; having a parity of =2 and consuming more protein than is recommended. Conclusions: Obesity is a public health crisis that can lead to a variety of avoidable metabolic complications, as highlighted by this study. Housewives are a vital part of many families and communities; as such, they need to be included in efforts to detect, educate about and treat obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Overweight /obesity is a global public health concern. It is higher among women than men in most continents of the world. This study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution and determinants of changes in overweight/obesity over time among urban women in Ethiopia. Methods We used data from three consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys in Ethiopia (2005, 2011, and 2016). The total weighted sample of 1112 in 2005, 3569 in 2011, and 3071 in 2016 urban women were included in the analysis. The primary outcome measure of this study was the spatiotemporal distribution and trends over time in overweight/obesity. Factors contributing to change in overweight/obesity were examined using a logit-based multivariate decomposition analysis. Results Overweight/obesity increased from 14.2% in 2005 to 21% in 2016. Approximately 61.3% of the overall increase in overweight/obesity among urban women was due to the difference in coefficient (difference in the effect of characteristics) across the surveys. Changes in the composition of women aged 25–49 years (β = 0.012, 95% CI 0.008, 0.015), married women (β = 0.010, 95% CI 0.006, 0.014), women with formal education (primary: β = 0.007, 95% CI 0.003, 0.011, higher education: β = 0.014, 95% CI 0.006, 0.022), women with formal employment (β = 0.006, 95% CI 0.001, 0.011), and women with informal employment (β = − 0.002, 95% CI − 0.003, − 0.0004) were factors contributing to the change in overweight/obesity from 2005 to 2016. The risk difference (RD) in women’s overweight/obesity significantly varied across regions in urban Ethiopia. Furthermore, a high proportion of overweight/obesity was found mainly in Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, and Addis Ababa. Conclusions The rate of overweight/obesity among women in urban Ethiopia has shown a significant increase over the last 11 years. This rate change was due to changes in the composition of women’s age, educational status, marital status, and employment status. Therefore, program interventions should be targeted at older (> 25 years), educated, married, Addis Ababa residents, and formally employed women.

Abstract Background Nutritional, epidemiological and demographic transitions have been associated with the emergence of the double burden of malnutrition globally. In Ethiopia, there has been no nationally representative investigation of trends and determinants of both underweight and overweight/obesity among urban women. This study examined the trends and determinants of underweight and overweight/obesity in urban Ethiopian women from 2000 to 2016. Methods Trends in the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity were investigated based on a series of the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data for the years 2000 (n = 2559), 2005 (n = 1112), 2011 (n = 3569), and 2016 (n = 3106). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural, and community-level factors with underweight and overweight/obesity. Results The prevalence of underweight in urban Ethiopian women reduced significantly from 23.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.3, 26.3%) in 2000 to 14.8% (95% CI: 13.1, 16.7%) in 2016, while overweight/obesity increased significantly from 10.9% (95% CI: 9.1, 13.0%) in 2000 to 21.4% (95% CI: 18.2, 25.1%) in 2016. Urban women from rich households and those who had never married were less likely to be underweight. Urban women who were from wealthy households and those who attained at least secondary education were more likely to be overweight/obese. Women who were informally employed and listened to the radio were less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those who were unemployed and did not listen to the radio, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 2000 to 2016, with a concurrent reduction in the prevalence of underweight. Interventions aiming to reduce overweight and obesity should target urban women with higher education, those who resided in wealthier households and those who watched the television.

Abstract Background The escalating prevalence of overweight and obesity globally is reflected amongst urban women in many low-to-middle income countries. Evidence also shows that overweight and obesity is an increasing trend in Bangladesh. The present study assessed the prevalence and socioeconomic determinants of overweight and obesity among urban women in Bangladesh. Methods Data were extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014. A two-stage stratified sampling technique has been used for data collection in this cross-sectional survey. A sample of 1701 ever-married non-pregnant urban women aged 15–49 years was selected for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis, multiple binomial logistic regression analysis were executed in this study. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34% (95% CI, 0.30–0.38) among urban Bangladeshi women. The probability of being overweight and obese increased with increasing age and wealth index. The likelihood of being overweight and obese among the oldest women surveyed (40–49 years) was 4.3 times (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.1–8.8) higher relative to the youngest women (15–19 years). The wealthiest women had 4.1 times (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.5–6.7) higher likelihood of being overweight and obese compared to the reference group of poorest women. Women having higher education (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.6) were more likely to be overweight and obese. However, women who were no longer living with their husband or separated from their husband were (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.8) less likely to be overweight and obese. Conclusion This study provides evidence that a large number of urban women were overweight and obese in Bangladesh. Women having higher levels of education, being older and belonging in both poorer and richest wealth quintile were at risk of being overweight and obese. Appropriate health promoting interventions based on these factors should be envisaged to reduce this problem.

Background: National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reported that percentage of women who were obese at age group 15 - 49 years increased from 11% to 15% from NFHS - 2 to NFHS - 3. In rural parts, under nutrition is more predominant, but in urban areas, obesity and overweight are more than three times higher, which may be owing to less physical activity levels in urban. The prevalence of obesity is greater for urban women and it is largely preventable through changes in lifestyle. It is important to assess the individual's knowledge about the link between food, physical work, and obesity in planning any intervention strategies. So it is necessary to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practices on obesity before planning any intervention programs. Objective: To assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) on obesity among obese homemakers in urban Udupi Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among obese homemakers residing in urban Udupi. A total of 180 obese homemakers were recruited from 30 wards in urban Udupi community based on BMI criteria within the age group of 30 to 45 years. An investigator developed KAP questionnaire on obesity was administered to the participants. Results: The mean age of study population was 36.77 years. In knowledge section, 45% respondents had a low level of knowledge regarding obesity. 51.7% had a negative attitude towards obesity and 76% had a poor practice related to obesity. Conclusion: Women who are obese and homemakers by occupation residing in the urban community had a limited knowledge, negative attitude and worst in practices related to obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pre-pubertal socioeconomic environment may be an important determinant of age at menarche, adult height, body proportions and adiposity: traits closely linked to adolescent and adult health. Aims: This study explored differences in age at menarche, adult height, relative leg-length and waist circumference between rural and urban black South African young adult women, who are at different stages of the nutrition and epidemiologic transitions. Subjects and methods: We compared 18-23 year-old black South African women, 482 urban-dwelling from Soweto and 509 from the rural Mpumalanga province. Age at menarche, obstetric history and household socio-demographic and economic information were recorded using interview-administered questionnaires. Height, sitting-height, hip and waist circumference were measured using standardised techniques. Results: Urban and rural black South African women differed in their age at menarche (at ages 12.7 and 14.5 years, respectively). In urban women, a one-year increase in age at menarche was associated with a 0.65 cm and 0.16% increase in height and relative leg-length ratio, respectively. In both settings, earlier age at menarche and shorter relative leg-length were independently associated with an increase in waist circumference. Conclusions: In black South African women, the earlier onset of puberty, and consequently an earlier growth cessation process, may lead to central fat mass accumulation in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the association between obesity and chronic low grade inflammation (CLGI) measured by Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) as a proxy indicator of CLGI among obese and non-obese teachers.Methods and Study Design: We conducted a cross sectional study among 128 non-obese (BMI <25) and 116 obese (BMI >=25) female teachers aged 25-60 years from six urban schools in Yangon, Myanmar between January and March 2015. Usual dietary intake was collected by 3-day nonconsecutive estimated 24 hour's dietary records and semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaires. Adapted DII was calculated by standardized methods using literature-derived population-based dietary inflammatory weights of 31 food parameters. C-reactive protein (CRP) was analysed by a sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Mean DII between obese and non-obese was compared by independent t test. The association between obesity indices and high DII (DII >=1.1) and high CRP (>3 mg/L) were investigated by logistic regression.Results: Obese teachers had lower intakes of anti-inflammatory nutrients (vitamin B-6, vitamin A and zinc)/food (onion) compared with non-obese teachers (p<0.05) and obesity was significantly associated with CRP (Odd ratio (OR)=5.5, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.2-24.1, p=0.02). However, there was no significant association between obesity and DII (OR=1.4, 95% CI -0.8-2.3, p=0.23).Conclusions: Role of antiinflammatory foods should be promoted for prevention of obesity and related diseases. Further use of DII among Myanmar general population for prevention of obesity and its related diseases should be explored with longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data of the third round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2005-2006, this study examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women from different economic strata in urban India. The study used a separate wealth index for urban India constructed using principal components analysis (PCA). The result shows that prevalence of overweight and obesity is very high in urban areas, more noticeably among the non-poor households. Furthermore, overweight and obesity increase with age, education, and parity of women. The results of multinomial logistic regression show that non-poor women are about 2 and 3 times more at risk of being overweight and obese respectively. Marital status and media exposure are the other covariates associated positively with overweight and obesity. Thus, the growing demand which now appears before the Government or urban health planners is to address this rising urban epidemic with equal importance as given to other issues in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most researches related to pregnancy complications and future cardiovascular disease, and their risk factors have been equivocal. Existence and extent of these complications, as a contributing factor to CVD risks, with underlying mechanisms of these associations, still remain uncertain. Hence, the current study tends to examine associations between 'complicated pregnancies' with obesity markers known to be coherent reflections of cardiovascular health in urban women. A cross-sectional sample of 631 Punjabi Khatri (mean age: 33 ± 5.58 years) urban women was studied for associations of pregnancy diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, and size for GA with calculated 10-year CVD risk (based on the Framingham score). A wide range of obesity markers (BMI, waist circumference (WC), WHR, and WHtR) were measured 3-8 years postpregnancy to determine its association with complications during pregnancy. The association with the calculated 10-year CVD risk (≥10 %) based on the Framingham prediction score was 3.01 OR (2.11-3.72 CI) for pregnancy DM, 4.52 (3.68-4.93 CI) for preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, 2.16 (2.01-2.79 CI) for size at GA (SGA and LGA), 2.25 (1.91-2.85 CI) for preterm births, and 2.48 (2.08-3.98 CI) for abnormal birth weight when compared with women without pregnancy diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, appropriate gestational age, full-term babies, and normal birth weight, respectively, in completely adjusted models. Therefore, HDP, pregnancy diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy outcomes are all associated with an increased risk of CVD 10 years later. Pregnancy may provide an opportunity to identify women at increased risk of CVD relatively early in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article assesses the age and body mass index (BMI) intervention of glucose hemeostatis among postmenopausal urban women. It examines the influence of age and obesity on glucose homeostatis. It highlights the importance of focused attention on pre-diabetic segment to reduce disease incidence. It recommends implementation of definitive measures on the glycemic health of postmenopausal women through geriatric management.

Abstract: This study describes women''s perceptions of the supports and barriers to maintaining a healthy weight among currently healthy weight women from urban and rural socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Using focus groups and interviews, we asked women about their experiences of maintaining a healthy weight. Overwhelmingly, women described their healthy weight practices in terms of concepts related to work and management. The theme of ‘managing health’ comprised issues of managing multiple responsibilities, time, and emotions associated with healthy practices. Rural women faced particular difficulties in accessing supports at a practical level (for example, lack of childcare) and due to the gendered roles they enacted in caring for others. Family background (in particular, mothers’ attitudes to food and weight) also appeared to influence perceptions about healthy weight maintenance. In the context of global increases in the prevalence of obesity, the value of initiatives aimed at supporting healthy weight women to maintain their weight should not be under-estimated. Such initiatives need to work within the social and personal constraints that women face in maintaining good health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In India, there is a considerable disparity between rural and urban areas with respect to health facilities, education, and infrastructural facilities. The major objectives of the present study are to examine the magnitudes of rural-urban disparity, its variation across states, and reasons for such disparity. A total of 81,712 ever-married women of reproductive age from 26 states in India constitute the data set. BMI is considered to be a good measure of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) and obesity. Some socio-economic variables were also considered that are known to affect nutritional status. For each state, the place-of-residence-wise classification was done. To determine the relationship between CED of women by rural and urban differences with different socio-economic variables, the percentage of urban CED women was subtracted from that of rural CED women. Thus, a positive sign means rural women are more affected than urban women. Correlation coefficients and Chi-square analyses were performed to establish relationship between dependant (nutritional status) and independent (socio-economic) variables. Key findings suggest disparity in nutritional status of adult women of reproductive age in 26 states between rural-urban areas in India. It was found that the magnitude of difference varies across the states. A noteworthy finding is that more developed states have less and most of the less developed states have more rural-urban differences. Rural-urban difference of the north-east states are low due to many factors including factors leading to higher empowerment of women compared to other states in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The Women''s Health Study of Accra was conducted to determine the burden of illness in a representative sampling of adult urban women. Methods: This community-based survey selected study participants by a 2-stage cluster probability sample stratified by socioeconomic status based on the 2000 Ghanaian census data. It included a comprehensive household survey and medical and laboratory examination for 1328 women. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure measurement ≥140mmHg or a diastolic of ≥90mmHg. Results: A positive review of systems for hypertension was reported in 309 (23.7%) with only 52.5% using anti-hypertensive medication and only 4.4% had a normal blood pressure. The blood pressure measurement was elevated in 712/1303 (54.6%). Significant risk factors for an elevated blood pressure included age ≥50years (OR=14.24 [10.74,18.8], p <0.001); BMI≥30.00 (OR=2.89 [2.26,3.70], p <0.001); parity of three or more children (OR=5.16 [2.90,9.19], p <0.001); menopause before age 50years (OR=5.88 [1.11,31.17], p =0.037); elevated fasting blood glucose (OR=3.98 [2.38,6.64], p <0.001); elevated fasting cholesterol (OR=1.69 [1.24, 2.30], p =0.001); no formal education (OR=2.75 [1.70,4.43], p <0.001) and first degree family history of hypertension (p <0.001). There was no association with income level, diet or activity. Significant protective factors include young age, nulliparity, normal BMI, and a lower than normal fasting LDL-cholesterol. Conclusion: The prevalence of presumptive hypertension is greater than anticipated. Public health initiatives to increase awareness of hypertension and to initiate and maintain treatment regimens will serve to improve the health of the women and the urban community. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Obesity is a multivariate syndrome which can negatively affect whole body functioning. It is most common in highly developed countries, and in recent years a progressive increase in obesity occurrence is noticeable. The aim of the study was to assess serum lipid profile and metabolic syndrome occurrence among obese rural women from Lublin Region in Eastern Poland. The study was conducted in the Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin (LAM). All subjects had a negative history of diseases and treatment that could affect serum lipid profile or glucose measurements. The inclusion criterion for the study group was overweight and obesity, defined as a body mass index above 25 (BMI>25) and living in a rural area. 44 women participated in the study. There were no women fulfilling the criteria or who had a history of incorrect fasting glucose (IFG) or incorrect glucose tolerance (IGT). In contrast, the prevalence of arterial hypertension (or treatment) was high - 53%. 22.7% women had normal serum IC values. The proportion of those with hyper-LDL-C was 38.6% and with hyper-IG - 18.2%. 20.5% of studied women had incorrect serum HDL-C levels, and in 15.9% hypo- HDL-C was accompanied by high serum IC levels. Analysis of correlation showed that serum IC was positively correlated with both LDL- and HDL- C. 55% of the studied obese or overweight women had at least 2 additional components of the metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]