Body mass index (BMI) in the Suudi population of Gassim

Abstract

In a total cross-sectional population survey of the Faizia Hast Primary- Health District of Buraidah, Gassim region of Saudi Arabia. 6.044 (2727 male and 3317 females) subjects out of a de facto population of 7695 got their BM1 computed because infants and restless or bedridden subjects could not be examined. Mean (± SD) and percentiles (25th Si 75th) were calculated in the conventional 5-year age cohorts as well as in functional age groups, namely. 0-5. 6- 12. 13-49. 50-69 and 70+ years. 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th. 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles were computed only for the functional age groups. In general, the trend was for B M I to increase with age in both genders but the curve pattern showed some plateauing from about the age of 50 with slight decline in later life. Females had significantly higher indices than males, this becoming quite prominent from the 10-14-year age cohort. This difference persisted irrespective of the types of age grouping or residential location. Overall means (± SD) were 20.14 ± 5.98 vs 22.22 ± 7.21 for males and females respectively; df: 5771; p = 0.0000; 95% CI: -2.43, - 1.735. Subjects in the urban living environment had significant higher indices than their rural counterpart: (21.66 6.92 vs 20.44 6.33: df: 5771; P = 0.0000; 95% CI: 1.595, - 0.840). From the age of 15 about one quarter of females arc overweight (BM I at the 75th percentile > 25) and from 30 years the same proportion are frankly obese (BM I > 30). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly positively correlated with B M I in both genders: male SBP: r = 0.22. P < 0.0001; male DBP: r = 0.21. P < 0.00001; female DBP: r = 0 18. P < 0.00001.