Obesity among Egyptian Adults with Short Stature

ObjectivesShorter than average adults are suggested to be at a higher risk for obesity, stunted growth is short stature due to chronic malnutrition and if identified, leads to obesity. Current study tests the hypothesis that stunted children, grown up as short adults have increased risk of obesityMethodsData from adult participants in a 2002 national survey for assessment of obesity among the Egyptian population and the national survey for assessment of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) among Egyptian adolescents (2003) were computed by gender specific height categories separately for men and women and Body Mass Index (BMI)ResultsIn the first study, the overall prevalence of obesity was (22.8%) among stunted males, (17.6%) among none stunted males, (53.2%) among stunted females and (46.9%) among normal height females. In the second study, the overall prevalence of obesity was (31.7%) among stunted males, (27.9%) among none stunted males, (68.6%) among stunted females and (62.7%) among normal height females.The prevalence of class II & class III obesity was higher among the short stature males and females. Both short males and females had a significantly higher mean of BMI. Waist circumference was significantly greater in normal stature males. There was an inverse correlation between stature and BMI.ConclusionData supports the hypothesis that stature is inversely related to the risk of obesity.