Comparison of anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity by place of residence in a local community with a high social deprivation rate - a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Obesity is considered a major public health concern. The aim of the study is to compare anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity by place of residence in a local community with a high social deprivation rate, based on the example of residents of the Janów District in eastern Poland, taking into account gender strata differences.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in a study group of 3,752 individuals. The following anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed to identify the anthropometric indicators related to overweight and obesity: body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body adiposity index (BAI).

RESULTS

Mean age of the study group was 51.92 ± 8.15. Overweight and obesity-related indicators were more prevalent in rural than urban areas among women, and were as follows: BMI (28.77 ± 5.37 vs. 27.62 ± 5.09; p < 0.001), WHR (0.87 ± 0.07 vs. 0.85 ± 0.07; p < 0.001), WHtR (0.57 ± 0.09 vs. 0.57 ± 0.08; p < 0.001) and BAI (33.58 ± 5.48 vs. 32.82 ± 5.4; p = 0.002). Men's mean WHR was higher in rural than in urban areas (0.96 ± 0.07 vs. 0.95 ± 0.62; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that women living in rural areas had a mean BMI that was 1.1 higher than that of women living in urban areas, as well as 0.02 higher WHR and WHtR and 0.8 higher BAI. In contrast, men living in rural areas had a 0.001 higher WHtR and WHR than men living in urban areas. In the multivariable models, after having considered potential confounding variables, women living in rural areas had approximately a 60% higher probability of being obese, while men had approximately a 30% higher probability of being obese.