Housewives’ Obesity Determinant Factors in Iran; National Survey - Stepwise Approach to Surveillance

BACKGROUND: Women suffer more from obesity than men in Iran do. In this study, we compared obesity risk and its contributors regarding the job categories as housewives (HWs) or employees to deeply explore the risk of obesity in housewives in Iran. METHODS: Based on WHO stepwise approach, in 2005, 33472 women aged 15 to 65 years old (excluding all men) were examined for the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Obesity was determined by Body Mass Index>30kgm(−2) in adults (>20 years) and by girl BMI percentiles according to WHO 2007 Growth Reference 5–19 years in adolescents. We modeled obesity by logistic regression and entered all the known/potential predictors, including job categories. RESULTS: The participation rate was more than 99%. The weighted prevalence of overweight and obesity in HWs were 34.5% and 24.5% respectively. Employed women were about 4% and 10% less overweight and obese than the HWs, respectively (P< 0.01). HWs vs. employed women had the adjusted OR 1.39 (CI95%, 1.18–1.63) for obesity. Older women, with higher educational level and socioeconomic status, lower physical activities and those living in urban areas were at risk of obesity. In comparison to HWs, working as an Official Clerk (OR=0.66) associated with a decrease in odds of obesity significantly, while others did not. CONCLUSION: Being as HW is an independent significant factor for obesity in women. Preventive health care programs to reduce risk of obesity in women should be applied, considering their occupation for achieving more effectiveness.