Abdominal obesity in Malaysian adults: National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III, 2006)

Kee, Chee Cheong and Haniff, Jamaiyah and Mohamad Nor, Noor Safiza and A., Geeta and Khor, Geok Lin and Shahar, Suzana and Ab Rahman, Jamalludin and Rasat, Rahmah and Ali Zainuddin, Ahmad and Abdul Talib, Ruzita and Wong, NF and Yusoff, Ahmad Fauzi (2008) Abdominal obesity in Malaysian adults: National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III, 2006). Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 14 (2). pp. 125-135. ISSN 1394-035X

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Abstract

Abdominal obesity (AO) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in adults. There is a lack of data on the magnitude and socio-demographic profile of AO among Malaysian adults at the national level. In the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) conducted in 2006, AO of adults aged 18 years and above was determined based on the waist circumference as part of the nutritional status assessment. This article reports the prevalence of AO in relation to socio-economic factors and demographic characteristics of adult subjects. Out of a total of 33,465 eligible individuals 18 years and above, waist circumference was measured in 32,900 (98.3%) individuals. The prevalence of AO was assessed using the cut-off points recommended by World Health Organization. The mean waist circumference in men and women was 84.0cm [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 83.8, 84.3] and 80.3cm (95% CI: 80.1, 80.6) respectively. The national prevalence of AO was 17.4% (95% CI: 16.9, 17.9). The identified risks of AO were women (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 3.8, 4.6), aged 50-59 years (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 4.0, 7.7), Indians (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 2.4, 3.8), housewives (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), subjects with primary education (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5) and ever married (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.6). Being the largest population-based study on AO among Malaysians, these findings have important public health implications. There is an urgent need to revise public health policies and programmes aimed at prevention of abdominal obesity especially in the groups at risk.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	3297/3690
Uncontrolled Keywords:	obesity, Malaysia, adults
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Health & Family Medicine
Depositing User:	Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman
Date Deposited:	27 Sep 2011 12:22
Last Modified:	07 Apr 2016 15:55
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/3690

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