The Double Burden of Obesity and Underweight in Yemeni Adults

Introduction:  Yemen has a unique low-income population with several sociopolitical challenges and the association between weight disorders and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors is not clearly understood.

Aim:  The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight among Yemeni adults, and to identify their associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 11 January to 25 March 2020, including 561 subjects of Yemen's adult population aged 18 and above, from four Yemeni governorates, who answered a questionnaire including demographic, socio-economic, and physical activity items after getting their signed consent. Height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was computed. The association between obesity or overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0kg/m) or underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m) and the other variables was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.

Results: A total of 561 subjects aged ≥ 18 years have participated in this survey. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was 10.3%, 95% CI [7.7%; 12.8%] and 20.3%, 95% CI [17%; 23.5%] respectively, while the one for underweight was 21.2%, 95% CI [17.8%; 24.5%]. The risk of overweight-obesity increased with age (OR=1.02, 95% CI (1.01-1.03)), living in urban areas (OR= 1.680, 95% CI (1.105-2.552)) and average-high socioeconomic status (SES) (OR= 1.729, 95% CI (1.156-2.587)) while the risk of underweight decreased with the age (OR= 0.981, 95% CI (0.964-0.998)).

Conclusion: These findings provide a special case of high prevalence of obesity, overweight, and underweight in Yemen. Therefore, implementing awareness and prevention programs is highly recommended there.