Nutritional Status and Obesity among Adults of Amman and Al-Balq’a Governorates

Problem statement: Obesity is a critical health problem worldwide and it is a serious prevalent disorder. The objective of this investigation was to assess the food consumption pattern and the prevalence of obesity of adult sample in Amman and Al-Balq’a governorates-Jordan. Approach: The study was performed on random sample of 544 apparently healthy adult volunteers consisted of men and women between the ages of 18 and 70 years. A cross-sectional dietary survey based on questionnaire model was carried out. Data on personal, food consumption, indicators of socio-economic level, measurements of weight and height were collected. The dietary habits were assessed by means of a Food-Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Body Mass Index (BMI) was used for the assessment of an overweight and obesity. Results: Based on BMI classification, the prevalence of overweight was more common among males compared to females 36.2% and 24.4 % respectively in Amman governorate and 37.5 and 23.7% in Al-Balq’a governorate, while the prevalence of obesity was higher among females compared to males 21.5 and 13.8%, respectively in Amman and 20.7% and 14.0% in Al-Balq’a. The current study showed that 48.0% of the whole sample was either overweight or obese. Considerable variations were found among individuals for the amounts of food consumed. Generally, males from both governorates consume more quantities from most food items than females. The mean intake of the total sample in Amman and Al-Balq’a of meat and poultry products in g day was 119 and 132, eggs 31.9 and 36.1, milk 131.5 and 167.4, dairy products 169.8 and 188.6, cereal and cereal based products 549.1 and 696.7, vegetables 395.9 and 405.2 and fruits 277 and 252, respectively. Low consumption of fish was reported, 14.2 g day in Amman and 13.8 g d in Al-Balq’a. Fats and oils and sugar were highly consumed, 34.7 and 100.2 in Amman and 80.9 and 47.7 in AlBalq’a, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among males and females is high. These findings should be considered in the Jordanian national nutrition health promotion program as an attempt for effective prevention of CVD and related co-morbidities.