Article

Behavioural, personal, psychological, sociodemographic, environmental,
biological and childbearing factors have been associated with obesity among
women. This study quantitatively explored the effects of these factors on
predicting body mass index (BMI) in U.S. women using the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and determined the
effectiveness of using the ICF with population-level data. METHODS: We used the
ICF Core Sets for Obesity, and data from the 1999-2006 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in a sample of 8766 U.S. women to quantify
the impact of all associated causal factors. Linear regression was used in the
analyses. RESULTS: Body image perceptions (42%) was the most significant
contributor, followed by hypertension (12%), general health condition (11%),
diabetes/borderline diabetes (10%), arthritis (9%) and performing vigorous
activity (9%). CONCLUSIONS:
To decrease obesity prevalence rates in U.S. women,
obesity prevention and treatment programmes should parallel the contributory
effects of its most significant causal factors of psychological, biological and
behavioural. In addition, more research and data are needed to explore the
relationship between BMI in women and the multiple influencing factors by going
beyond the more frequently available information of age, gender, race, education,
income and parity.

Langue : ANGLAIS