Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and factors influencing its prevalence in a population in North-West Lahore.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) in a population residing in Northwest of Lahore and study the association of some lifestyle factors influencing it.

Methods: In a cross-sectional design, a study was conducted at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, in which 496 adults of either gender having abdominal obesity were included with informed consent. Those having none or one of the following metabolic abnormalities - hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia and low HDL-cholesterol along with abdominal obesity were classified as having metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). These metabolic abnormalities were measured in all recruited subjects. A questionnaire comprising demographic and lifestyle habits was used for information about factors influencing MHO. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for studying the association of these factors with MHO. The duration of the study was from August 2022 to October 2023.

Results: Prevalence of MHO was 11% of the population studied. It was inversely related to age. Regarding association of MHO, compared to males, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) among females was 74% lower [AOR = 0.26; 95% CI (0.11-0.59)]. Moreover, married individuals had 0.36 times odds of MHO compared to single ones [AOR = 0.36; 95% CI (0.16-0.8)]. Skipping breakfast less than once a week had 0.11 times odds of MHO compared to those who were skipping breakfast everyday [AOR = 0.11; 95% CI (0.02-0.49)].

Conclusion: Eleven percent prevalence of MHO suggests the need to create awareness amongst communities for adoption of healthy lifestyle habits for better metabolic health.