Changes in body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity among Kuwaitis 1980–1994

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare temporal changes in body mass index (BMI) (kg/m²) and prevalence of obesity (BMI>25 and >30 kg/m²) among adult Kuwaitis between two periods 14 y apart.

DESIGN: Comparison of two independent cross-sectional samples of Kuwaitis studied in 1980–1981 and 1993–1994.

SUBJECTS: 2067 (896 men and 1171 women) and 3435 (1730 men and 1705 women) adult Kuwaitis (aged ≥18 y), drawn from primary health care (PHC) clinics and studied for nutritional assessment and for prevalence of obesity in 1980–1981 and 1993–1994, respectively.

MEASUREMENTS: BMI, which is the weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared (kg/m²), was based on measured weight and height. Obesity was defined as BMI>25 kg/m² (grade 1) and BMI>30 kg/m² (grade 2).

RESULTS: Mean BMI increased significantly (P<0.001) by 10.0% and 6.2% (2.5 and 1.7 kg/m²) among men and women, respectively. Prevalence of obesity (BMI>25 and >30 kg/m²) increased by 20.6% and 15.4% and by 13.7% and 8.4% among men and women, respectively. After controlling for sociodemographic differences between the two study periods, BMI was 2.0 and 1.6 kg/m² higher in 1993–1994 than in 1980–1981 among men and women, respectively. The risk of obesity (BMI>25 and >30 kg/m²) also increased among both genders between the two periods (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.7 and OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.5–2.4, for men and OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.6–3.0 and OR=1.4, 95% CI 2.2 CI-1.0–1.9, for women).

CONCLUSION: BMI and prevalence of obesity increased among Kuwaitis between 1980–1981 and 1993 and 1994 probably due to the effects of modernization, affluence, increased food consumption and the concomitant changes to sedentary lifestyles. The rate of temporal changes in BMI and obesity were higher, by comparison, in Kuwait than in selected other countries.