search
for
 About Bioline  All Journals  Testimonials  Membership  News


The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
icddr,b
ISSN: 1606-0997
EISSN: 1606-0997
Vol. 22, No. 1, 2004, pp. 75-83
Bioline Code: hn04010
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol. 22, No. 1, 2004, pp. 75-83

 en Assessment of Obesity, Lifestyle, and Reproductive Health Needs of Female Citizens of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Carter, Anne O.; Saadi, Hussain F.; Reed, Richard L. & Dunn, Earl V.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the reproductive and lifestyle characteristics in a representative sample (n=535) of women in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, to guide the development of health programmes for this population with rising affluence. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using the stratified two-stage sampling technique. Although most women were young, were pre-menopausal, did not smoke, reported good health status, and 84% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81-87%) reported being sufficiently active to meet expert recommendations, the prevalence of obesity (defined by body mass index ≥30) was very high (35%; 95% CI 31-39%) and many (28%; 95% CI 24-32%) reported having a chronic disease. The prevalence of obesity was associated positively with age and negatively with education (p<0.001 for both). Postmenopausal women had significantly more chronic diseases, reported poor health more often, were less physically active (p<0.001 for all), and had a higher percentage of body fat (p=0.002) compared to premenopausal women. Health services should emphasize the prevention and treatment of obesity and improving the general health status of postmenopausal women.

Keywords
Obesity; Lifestyle; Women’s health; Reproductive health; Cross-sectional studies; United Arab Emirates

 
© Copyright 2004 - ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research
Alternative site location: http://www.jhpn.net

Home Faq Resources Email Bioline
© Bioline International, 1989 - 2024, Site last up-dated on 01-Sep-2022.
Site created and maintained by the Reference Center on Environmental Information, CRIA, Brazil
System hosted by the Google Cloud Platform, GCP, Brazil