Prevalence of Obesity in Malaysia: Perspectives in Terengganu towards Development of Malaysian Obesity DNA Bank

Abstract

A normal health status is highly depends on body weight. Many health problems may occur or impose risk for extremely obese individuals. Etiopathology of obesity includes interaction of several factors inclusive of genetic and non-genetic factors such as lifestyle changes. This study aimed to launch Malaysian Obesity DNA Bank and determine the prevalence of obesity along with anthropometric measurements of the subjects. The cross-sectional study was conducted on total of 340 subjects (obese = 95, overweight = 122 and normal = 123), aged 19-60 years, in Terengganu. The BMI and well appropriate anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, fat percentage and ASindex) were determined through standard protocols and formulae. The mean difference of anthropometrics was determined by independent t-test. Data was analysed using SPSS ver.16.0.0. The BMI was determined for all subjects and it was found that out of 340 subjects, a total of 95 (27.9%) subjects were obese , followed by a total of 122 (35.8%)  subjects were overweight and normal individuals were 123 (36.1%). The mean of the BMI, WHR, Fat% and ASindex, in Malay obese were 32.83, 0.88, 33.5 and 13.21 respectively, while in normal healthy individuals were 22.1, 0.78, 24.2 and 20.1 respectively. The difference of mean of BMI, WHR, Fat% and ASindex was calculated to be 10.73, 0.1, 9.3 and 6.89 respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Malaysia, reporting that this is very first Obesity DNA Bank in South East Asia region and prevalence of obesity in Terengganu, Malaysia to be 27.9%. In addition, it indicates a significant mean difference for anthropometric measurements among obese and normal individuals. For Asindex calculations suggest that the prevalence of genocide obesity is greater 89.9% of android obesity in Malay obese attributes

Keywords: Obesity, Terengganu, prevalence, Malaysia, body shape, ASindex, anthropometric measurements