The Prevalence of Obesity in Adult Population in a City on the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and type of obesity in Mersin city center on the Mediterrenean coast of Turkey, as well as its relationship with age, sex, education level, blood pressure and menopause. This study has been conducted on 1496 people (855 women, 641 men) age group between 20 and 74. Of 1496 people who were examined in this study, 483 (32.3%) had normal body weight, and 575 (38.4%) were overweight, and 438 (29.3%) were obese. The average Body mass index (BMI) was higher in the women, and the average ratio of waist to hip was higher in the men, and the waist circumference was higher in the men. Positive correlations were determined between BMI and waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, and age and blood pressure in the obese group. High waist circumference was determined in 45.5% of the women and 22.9% of the men. High ratio of waist to hip was determined 13.2% of the women and 13.3% of the men. The prevalence of obesity increased with age, the presence of diabetes mellitus, in postmenopausal period, and in the population of low educational levels. Hypertension risk was higher in the presence of obesity than in the presence of normal bodyweight.