Obesity and its association with socioeconomic, dietary, lifestyle, and sleep characteristics in Lebanese urban adults -

Abstract

Background and objectives: The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing in developed and developing countries, reaching alarming levels in several parts of the world. Eastern Mediterranean is no exception to this trend, with the prevalence of obesity in its countries reaching high levels, exceeding at times those reported from developed countries. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of obesity amongst Lebanese adults residing in the Greater Beirut Area, and investigating the association of obesity with socioeconomic, lifestyle, dietary, and sleep characteristics. Methods: A representative cross sectional survey was conducted, in 2015, on Lebanese adults aged 18 years and older (n=501). A multi0component questionnaire inquiring about: socio-economic, lifestyle, dietary, and sleep characteristics was administered to study participants in a face – to – face interview. Dietary intake was assessed using an eighty - six -item FFQ, and sleep patterns were evaluated using the Berlin Questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference) were obtained using standardized techniques. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 for Windows (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg-m2. The association of obesity with socioeconomic, lifestyle, dietary, and sleep correlates was examined using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Findings of the current study estimated the prevalence of obesity at 41.5percent in Lebanese urban adults, with significantly higher estimate of obesity among females (70.7percent for females vs. 29.3percent for males; P0.05). Obesity also showed significant associations with higher age, and lower SES (assessed by lower income and education status), lower physical activity levels, lower sleep duration and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When looking at dietary intake data, there was no association of obesity with energy and macronutrient intakes. Findings of the multivariate logistic regression showed