Role of lifestyle and diet in emerging obesity among Indian women and its impact upon their health status

Praween Kumar Agrawal, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

This paper examines the changes in BMI status of women according to lifestyle and dietary habits and impact of BMI on their health status by exploring the primary data collected from 329 women as a follow-up of NFHS-2 Delhi sample. Information on women’s BMI, WHR, dietary habits, life style, and health problems was collected. Findings suggest that women who are less involved in physical activities and frequently consumes more sugary and fatty items had experienced significant increase in BMI status, which was also confirmed in logistic regression results. Not only general and reproductive morbidities but perceived worst health status was also found significantly higher among obese women than overweight and normal women. Logistic regression also confirms that BMI and WHR are significant predictors in determining the morbidity condition. Therefore, there is an urgent need to recognize the gravity of this problem and incorporate it in the general health system.