Socioeconomic Determinants of Obesity among Women Living in Indonesian Remote Islands, Raas and Sapudi

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) has an important role in defining trend of obesity and it is believed that rich people of poor countries who live in urban areas show high rate of obesity. However, there is a controversy regarding the role of socioeconomic factors on overweight and obesity of people living in rural areas. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of socioeconomic factors on the prevalence of obesity in women living in Raas and Sapudi islands that represents Indonesian rural areas. Materials and Methods: A total of 376 housewives, living in remote Indonesian islands (Raas and Sapudi), took part in this cross sectional study. In this study, nutritional status measurements, interviews and observations done by trained enumerators. A student’s t-test was used to compare differences of socioeconomic factors among women with and without overweight/obesity. Results: Distance to the food source and expenses to buy food were related to overweight/obesity (p<0.05). Additionally, overweight/obese women were married at a younger age compared to those women who were not overweight (16±3 yo vs. 17±6 yo, p = 0.008). Economic status, such as monthly income and possession of the farm or ranch was not associated with overweight/obesity. However, women who work outside home were less likely to become overweight/obese (OR: 0.321; p = 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in women living in those remote islands was at an alarming rate and socioeconomic factors also have an important role in the prevalence of obesity.