Overweight and Obesity in Kuwait

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult females. A multistage stratified sample of 2999 adult females was examined. 52.5% were found to be overweight (10-20% above reference weight tables) and 42% obese (more than 20% above reference standards). The numbers increased with age. There were fewer obese and more overweight the higher the standard of education, with a similar pattern with the husbands' standard of education. Obesity was more prevalent (46.8%) in non-working women, 36.8% among those in management and 32.9% among those in technical work, while the corresponding figures for those overweight were 47.7%, 56.9% and 62.2%. The prevalence of obesity increased with family size while that of overweight fell. A similar pattern was found with the number of children. Family income was inversely related to the prevalence of obesity and positively related to overweight.