PREVELANCE OF OBESITY AMONG LIBYAN WOMEN IN DERNA CITY AND ITS RELATION TO SOICODEMOGRAPHIC AND DIETARY FACTORS

*Fareha Hamd Younis and Aya Ahweedi Elgzairi

ABSTRACT

Obesity is a chronic and multi-factorial disease and one of the most important causes of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of obesity among women aged 19-60 years in Derna, Libya. A cross-sectional study was carried out and random sampling technique was used. The total sample included was 350 women aged from 19 to 60 years. (The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference standard was used to classify the participants as normal weight, overweight, and obese. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 42. A value of P< 0.05 was interpreted as statistically significant. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 49.4%. Obesity was a serious problem among women in Derna. Age, education level, martial state and number of birth were included as potential risk factors. Age was an important variable affecting obesity. Our data showed skipping breakfast and night eating is associated with overweight or obese. Another important outcome of the analysis performed in the present study was body mass index had a strong relationship to some disease and positive correlation was noted (P<0.05). The present study showed that the considerably high prevalence of overweight and obesity among women in Derna, Libya and it increases progressively with age. The Libyan diet, which is high in calories and rich in fat, furthermore the consumption of fast food and soft drink every day, may contribute to overweight. Obesity should draw the attention of the healthcare community, researchers, and policy makers in Libya.

Keywords: Obesity, Women, Body mass index (BMI), Libya.