Foong Ming Moy
Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Title: The associations of obesity with cardiometabolic risks and stress among multi-ethnic women in a developing country
Biography
Biography: Foong Ming Moy
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Obesity has emerged as a public health epidemic over decades in developed countries. Currently, developing countries are also experiencing an increasing trend in obesity. Sedentary lifestyle and easy accessibility to highly palatable nutrient-dense foods create an environment that promotes overweight and obesity. Stress, often arising from poor interpersonal relationships, job or unemployment stress, poor self-esteem, and low socioeconomic status has been associated with obesity and its comorbidities. This presentation will highlight the associations of obesity with cardiometabolic risks and stress among a group of multi-ethnic women in Malaysia. Methodology: This is the cross sectional findings of a teachers cohort study (n=14,228). This study was conducted in six states within Peninsular Malaysia. Multistage sampling was carried out to recruit participants from the school setting. Data collection included a questionnaire survey and health assessment. Information collected in the questionnaire were socio-demographic characteristics, participants' medical history and family history of chronic diseases, teaching characteristics, lifestyle behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activities), a food frequency questionnaire, the job content questionnaire (JCQ); depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS21); health related quality of life (SF12-V2) etc. Health assessment included anthropometric measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, full lipid profile and fasting blood glucose. All data were analysed using STATA 14.0. Conclusion & Significance: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the participants was comparable with the national statistics. Obesity was found to be associated with cardiometabolic risks and stress. Appropriate interventions should be implemented to control obesity in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases.