Multilevel exploration of individual- and community-level factors contributing to overweight and obesity among reproductive-aged women: a pooled analysis of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2004–2018

OBJECTIVES: Overweight and obesity have been related to a variety of adverse health outcomes. Understanding the overweight and obesity epidemic in Bangladesh, particularly among reproductive-aged women, is critical for monitoring and designing effective control measures. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in reproductive-aged women and to identify the risk factors of overweight and obesity. DESIGN: A total of 70 651 women were obtained from the five most recent and successive Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS). The multilevel logistic regression model was used to explore the individual- and community-level factors of overweight and obesity. SETTING: Five most recent nationally representative household surveys across all regions. PARTICIPANTS: Reproductive-aged (15–49 years) non-pregnant women. RESULTS: Approximately 35·2 % (95 % CI: 34·9–35·6 %) of women were either overweight or obese in Bangladesh. At the individual- and community-level, higher age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5·79, 95 % CI: 5·28–6·34), secondary or higher education (aOR = 1·69 [1·60–1·78]), relatively wealthiest households (aOR = 4·41 [4·10–4·74]), electronic media access (aOR = 1·32 [1·26–1·37]) and community high literacy (aOR = 1·10 [1·04–1·15]) of women were significantly positively associated with being overweight or obese. Whereas, rural residents (aOR = 0·79 [0·76–0·82]) from larger-sized households (aOR = 0·80 [0·73–0·87]) and have high community employment (aOR = 0·92 [0·88–0·97]) were negatively associated with the probability of being overweight or obese. CONCLUSION: Individual- and community-level factors influenced the overweight and obesity of Bangladeshi reproductive-aged women. Interventions and a comprehensive public health plan aimed at identifying and addressing the growing burden of overweight and obesity should be a top focus.