Nutritional Profile of Obese Males from Upper Middle Socio-economic Status

Total 300 males in the age group of 40-50 years belonging to upper middle socio-economic status were selected from various localities of Ludhiana, Punjab. Height and weight of all subjects were recorded to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and were categorized according to BMI classification. Subjects (n=262) with BMI ≥30 were retained for the study. Data on general, socio-economic status, personal medical history and habits of smoking & drinking was collected through personal interview technique using especially structured interview schedule. Information regarding the food consumption and dietary intake was collected by “24 hour recall-cum-weightment method”. Various anthropometric parameters were measured using standard methods. Results revealed that subjects consumed high amount of refined cereals, fats and oils, roots and tubers, other vegetables, milk and milk products, sugar, meat & poultry whereas, low amount of green leafy vegetables and whole and sprouted pulses. The average daily intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, total fat, Riboflaviton (B₂), Gyano-Cobalamin (B₁₂), calcium and phosphorus was higher than RDA whereas, intake of fibre, α- carotene, Thaimine (B₁), Niacin (B₃), vitamin C and iron was lower than the RDA. The anthropometric measurements i.e. weight, BMI, Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), Tricep Skin Fold Thickness (TSFT), Biceps (BS), Subscapular (SS), Suprailiac (SI) and per cent body fat of the subjects was found to be very high as compared to the standard values. Hyperlipidemia (23.66%), hyperglycemia (22.90%) and hypertension (13.74%) were the main clinical manifestations among obese males. Hence, there is a need to impart concerted nutrition education to obese males.