The prevalence of obesity, risk factors and associated diseases in Klong Toey slum and Klong Toey government apartment houses

Abstract The epidemiological study in low socioeconomic area of Bangkok, Klong Toey slum residents (n = 976) and apartment house residents (n = 906) of both sexes revealed the prevalence rates of overweight of 25.5% and 30.5%, obesity 10% and 11.1%; hypertension 17.3%; and 14%; diabetes 4.5% and 5.9%; IGT 6.1% and 4.4%; total abnormal GTT 10.6% and 10.3%; hypercholesterolemia 14.1% and 12%; hypertriglyceridemia 24.8% and 22.7%; low HDL-C 3.1% and 1.8%; hyperuricemia 7.7% and 10.4% respectively. The prevalence rates of the related diseases and conditions were increased when BMI was over 25 in both populations except for those with abnormal GTT and hyperuricemia in the slum residents. Concerning risk factors, discriminant analysis disclosed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and atherogenic index as the first two factors significantly associated with overweight and obestiy (BMI > 25) in both populations. Restructuring of the health service delivery system and care-taker re-educating together with production of meaningful mass communication media are needed for promotion of health care, prevention of these non-communicable diseases and their sequelae by non-pharmacological approach.