A STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AND THE ASSOCIATED HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG WOMEN RESIDING IN SELECTED URBAN AREAS IN RAJASTHAN

Abstract

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Obesity is a global burden, which significantly increases the risk of non- communicable diseases (NCDs). Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. Being overweight can also lead to diabetes and its associated conditions, including blindness, limb amputations, and the need for dialysis. Rates of diabetes have quadrupled around the world since 1980.1 Carrying excess weight can lead to musculoskeletal disorders including osteoarthritis. Obesity is also associated with some cancers, including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney and colon. The risk of these non-communicable diseases increases even when a person is only slightly overweight and grows more serious as the body mass index climbs.