Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(2), pp. 407 - 416
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130212
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Gender Disparities in Obesity among Elderly Urban Residents of Mangalore: An Indian Community-Based Study
Anju Shaju Areeckal 1, Nayanatara Arunkumar 2, Anu Shaju Areeckal 3,*
1 Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala 680596, India
2 Department of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
3 Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
ABSTRACT
The incidence of obesity is increasing among the elderly population in India, potentially leading to a heightened incidence of non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this study is to compare general and central obesity between elderly men and women living in Mangalore city in South India. One hundred and sixty people, 60 years of age and older, participated in a community-based cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements are determined according to the standard guidelines of the World Health Organization. Body Mass Index (BMI) is computed and categorized using the BMI classification specific to the Asian population. Data are analyzed using SPSS software. The student's unpaired t-test is used to evaluate statistical differences across groups. The results indicate that 18.8% of elderly men and 37.5% of elderly women are classified as having general obesity or being overweight. The mean waist circumference is significantly higher in elderly women (88.54 卤 11.05 cm) compared to their male counterparts (84.69 卤 13.56 cm) with p < 0.05. Central obesity is prevalent in 66.2% of elderly men and 83.8% of elderly women. The findings underscore an increased prevalence of general obesity in older women when compared to elderly men in this urban cohort. Additionally, elderly women exhibit greater waist and hip circumferences than men. However, no significant difference is observed in the waist-hip ratio between the genders. These findings demonstrate the need for gender-specific interventions to address obesity and related health risks in the elderly urban population of India.
KEYWORDS
Aged, Body Mass Index, Nutritional Status, Overweight, Obesity, Waist-Hip Ratio
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Anju Shaju Areeckal , Nayanatara Arunkumar , Anu Shaju Areeckal , "Gender Disparities in Obesity among Elderly Urban Residents of Mangalore: An Indian Community-Based Study," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 407 - 416, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130212.
(b). APA Format:
Anju Shaju Areeckal , Nayanatara Arunkumar , Anu Shaju Areeckal (2025). Gender Disparities in Obesity among Elderly Urban Residents of Mangalore: An Indian Community-Based Study. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(2), 407 - 416. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130212.