Relationship of socio-economic inequality and overweight with non-communicable diseases risk factors: A study on underprivileged population

BACKGROUND: Out of every five deaths in India three are due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Two major modifiable risk factors for NCDs are overweight and socioeconomic inequality. This study assesses the burden of various NCDs risk factors and their relationship with socioeconomic inequality and overweight among the underprivileged population. AIM: To compare the different Non-Communicable Diseases risk factors with socioeconomic inequality and overweight. To evaluate the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and body weight with NCDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study incorporating 241 random sample of participants was assessed using WHO Stepwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis of 12 h of fasting venous blood samples were done. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16 and Graph Pad Prism 8, using two-sided significance tests at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: The study finds a 10-fold higher risk of tobacco use ( AOR = 10.18, C.I = 2.79 − 37.10) and 5 times higher risk of alcohol use AOR = 5.57, C.I = 1.25 − 24.65) among people with poor SES compared to higher SES. A significant correlation was observed between BMI, LDL cholesterol ( r = −16.0; P = 0.009) and HDL cholesterol (r = 18.0;P = 0.006) with socioeconomic status. The study finds that for individuals who were overweight the odds of systolic blood pressure (AOR = 2.11, C.I = 1.03−4.31), fasting blood sugar (AOR = 3.84, C.I = 1.30 −11.32), triglyceride level, (AOR = 2.20, C.I = 1.18 − 4.09) high-density lipoprotein ( AOR = 2.63, C.I = 1.26 − 5.46) were significantly higher compared to normal BMI individuals. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the socioeconomic patterning of the population is significantly associated with NCD risk factors. Obesity was closely linked with several major NCD risk factors.