Obesity and its Effects on Health in Middle-Aged Women from Slums of Pune

AIM: The study aims to find out the prevalence of obesity and its consequences on the health of middle-aged (45–59 years) women in slum areas. METHODOLOGY: The present study includes 559 women between 45 and 59 years of age from slums of Pune city, Maharashtra. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaire long version, information on dietary habits, chronic illnesses, etc., Univariate analysis and further multiple logistic regressions were used to determine associations and risk estimates using Statistical Package for the Social Science version 16. RESULTS: About 60% had body mass index (BMI) above normal, 39% were overweight, and 21.3% obese. The percentage of obesity increased with increasing age. Obesity was significantly associated with working status (P = 0.042), hypertension (P = 0.013), knee pain (P = 0.029), squatting (P = 0.001), walking (P = 0.001), climbing stairs (P = 0.004), and rising from chair (P = 0.040). Functional decline was reported by 62.8% women. Odds of having high blood pressure 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–3.0), difficulty in squatting, walking was 1.5 (95% CI: 1.0–2.4) and 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0–3.6) respectively more in overweight. Higher odds of having blood pressure 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0–3.3) and difficulty in walking 2.4 (95% CI: 1.2–4.6) was observed in obese women as compared to women in normal BMI category. CONCLUSION: The study shows that the prevalence of obesity is higher among women even in the low-income areas. This indicates a need for specific interventions targeted to women in urban slum. The inclusion of multicomponent intervention will prove to be beneficial at the community level.