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Urbanisation and geographic variation of overweight and obesity in India: a cross-sectional analysis of the Indian Demographic Health Survey 2005–2006

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

We examined the nationwide geographic variation of overweight and obesity in India, as well as a range of potential correlates of excess body fat.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional analyses of the 2005–2006 Indian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS), based on 161,050 individuals (age range 18–54 years). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios (OR) of overweight and obesity compared to normal weight with associated correlates.

Results

The overall prevalence was 12.4 % for overweight, 3.2 % for obesity, and 26.5 % for underweight. After multivariate adjustment, obesity was nearly thrice more likely in urban areas than in rural (OR 2.73, 95 % CI 2.53–2.94). Women were 2.71 times more likely to be obese than men (95 % CI 2.50–2.95). Better socioeconomic status was significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Overweight (OR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.31–1.47) and obesity (OR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.32–1.61) were most likely to occur in India’s Southern zone, when controlled for confounding factors.

Conclusions

High-risk estimates for overweight/obesity in urban settings, along with socioeconomic prowess in India and the resulting nutritional transition make a compelling case for public health policy on healthy lifestyles to avert the growing burden of non-communicable diseases associated with overweight/obesity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank ICF International for providing free access to 2005–2006 Demographic and Health Survey [Third National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3)] from India. Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala is also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West Midlands at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Statistics and Epidemiology Team, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

    Saad T. Siddiqui & Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala

  2. Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala

  3. Population Health Department, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1A-B, rue Thomas Edison, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg

    Saverio Stranges

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  1. Saad T. Siddiqui
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  2. Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala
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  3. Saverio Stranges
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Correspondence to Saad T. Siddiqui.

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Siddiqui, S.T., Kandala, NB. & Stranges, S. Urbanisation and geographic variation of overweight and obesity in India: a cross-sectional analysis of the Indian Demographic Health Survey 2005–2006. Int J Public Health 60, 717–726 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0720-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0720-9

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