Assessment of Obesity, Comorbidities and Associated Factors among Women Aged 35–45 in Dhaka City

Abstract

Background: Obesity is an emerging public health concern in urban Bangladesh, particularly among middle-aged women, where it contributes to an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases. Local evidence on obesity rates, determinants and comorbidity profiles for mid-life urban women has traditionally been sparse, hindering targeted interventions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity, examine sociodemographic determinants and describe associated comorbidities among women aged 35–45 years in Dhaka City. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 322 women residing in Dhaka City. Data were collected through structured interviews and standardized anthropometric measurements. Obesity was classified according to standardized criteria. Associations between obesity and sociodemographic variables were examined using chi-square tests, odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 39.13%. Women aged 35–40 years had significantly higher odds of obesity than those aged 41–45 years (OR = 3.41; 95% CI: 2.10–5.53; p < .001). Graduate-level education was significantly protective against obesity (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27–0.69; p = .001), whereas marital status was not significantly associated. Obese women had a markedly higher prevalence of diabetes (63.5%), hypertension (65.9%), fatty liver disease (65.1%), heart disease (48.4%), joint pain (61.9%), breathlessness or chest pain (56.3%) and kidney disease (46.0%) than non-obese women. Conclusion: Obesity imposes a substantial health burden on urban women aged 35–45 years in Dhaka City and is strongly associated with multiple chronic conditions. Targeted preventive and management strategies are essential to mitigate its growing effects.