Prevalence And Association Of Overweight With Major Non- Communicable Diseases Among Elderly People Living In Kesbewa Secretariat Division, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Abstract:-Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a major global health problem. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are considered as major NCDs. Those conditions commonly can be seen among elderly populations. Therefore this, community based cross sectional study was conducted among 368 participants over the age of 60 years to determine the prevalence of NCDs and its associated anthropometric measurements among elderly living in Kesbewa secretariat division, Colombo district, Sri Lanka. A representative sample was obtained by multi-stage cluster sampling technique. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used and body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR) were calculated through the anthropometric measurements. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 23.0. Among the respondents, 60.9% (n=224) were females and mean age was 69.53±6.147. Out of the total sample 58.1% (n=214) of respondents were suffering from major NCDs. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases were 19.3%, 40.2% 1.6%, and 12% respectively and 42.4% respondents were suffering from at least one NCD. The results suggested that BMI (P<0.05) and WHR (p<0.05) are significantly associated with major NCDs. The analysis revealed significant association between DM and overweight (p<0.05). There was no significant association between other major NCDs with overweight. The prevalence of NCDs are considerably high and higher BMI & WHR are the major study observation of NCDs among elderly. As the factors are considered as modifiable risk factors, actions should be taken to address at community level to reduce the disease burden associated with NCDs.