ACROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AMONG DRIVERS AND CONDUCTORS OF PURNEA-KATIHAR, KATIHAR

Abstract

Introduction- Overweight has become a major disorder affecting a large population more than any other disease in the world. To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity among derivers and conductors of Purnea- Katihar and to compare the prevalence of overweight among them the study had been undertaken in Katihar. Material & Method- Randomly selected 365 drivers and 370 conductors were personally interviewed using predesigned, pretested structured questionnaire, physical examination was done to measure height, weight, waist circumstances and hip circumstances, Body Mass Index was measured to assess over weight, waist circumstances and waist hip ratio were used to assess control over weight, summary gures like rates were calculated. Chi-square test was used to test the difference of prevalence between drivers and conductors. Observation-The study showed that in drivers 43.3% were overweight, 22.2% were obese and 23.6% were having a wais circumstances > 102 cm. Among conductors 28.1% were overweight 16.2% and 18.1% were having a waist circumstance of > 102cm. Conclusion- The prevalence of overweight was high among drivers compared to conductors; drivers were also more over weight than conductors. These differences were found to be statically signicant, considering the high prevalence of overweight among drivers and conductors, necessary preventive measures need to be promoted. Recommendation – Dietary changes and increased physical activity.