Gender differentials of abdominal obesity among the adults in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka

ObjectiveTo assess the gender-specific prevalence and determinants of abdominal obesity (AO) within the population and lifestyle diversity of an urban district in Sri Lanka.MethodsPrevalence of AO (defined by waist circumference) was estimated in a cross-sectional study of 1400 adults aged 20–64, residing in the district of Colombo in 2004. Demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors were assessed in gender-specific logistic regression models to identify determinants of AO.ResultsPrevalence of AO was 44.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.0, 48.5) in females and 25.7% (95% CI: 22.6, 29.0) in males. Significant determinants of AO were age 35–49 (adjusted odds ratio: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5), moderately urban sector (1.9; 1.3, 2.9) and insufficient level of physical activity (1.7; 1.1, 2.4) among females in contrast to household income > Rupees 10,000 (6.1; 2.7, 13.5), increased alcohol (medium: 1.9; 1.2, 2.9; high: 2.1; 1.2, 3.5), low-fiber diet (1.6; 1.1, 2.4) and frequent large meals (1.7; 1.0, 2.8) among males. Determinants common to males (M) and females (F) were age ≥ 50 years (M: 2.5; 1.5, 4.2 and F: 2.9; 1.9, 4.4), most urban sector (M: 2.0; 1.3, 3.1 and F: 1.8; 1.2, 2.7) and married status (M: 2.2; 1.3, 3.6 and F: 2.4; 1.6, 3.6).ConclusionsA distinct gender differential was observed in the prevalence and determinants of AO. It appears vital that preventive strategies of AO be developed to be more ‘gender-sensitive’ in urban districts.