Prevalence and Determinants of Obesity among Rural Homemakers in Punjab, India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Obesity is a global crisis with a disproportionate impact on women. In Punjab, female obesity rates are among India’s highest, yet a critical research gap exists regarding the impact of unpaid domestic labor on metabolic health. This gender disparity is a critical area of concern, as the demanding and time-consuming nature of traditional homemaking roles and childcare limits a housewife’s ability to prioritize her own health. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional, community-based study carried out in a rural area of Punjab, India, among homemakers aged 18 years and above. Data were collected through house-to-house visits using the WHO STEPS instrument for non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance. Information on the subject’s sociodemographic profiles, eating habits, and anthropometric measurements was collected. Obesity was defined according to the WHO Asian cut-off (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of obesity was determined to be 26.7% (95% CI: 23.3–30.4%) with a mean subject BMI of 24.5 ± 3.56 kg/m 2 . A higher prevalence was observed among illiterate subjects, those who were insufficiently active and subjects from upper and upper-middle socioeconomic statuses. Dietary choices, education level, and physical activity were all found to be significant predictors of obesity. Conclusion: Obesity represents a significant public health challenge among rural homemakers, independently predicted by non-vegetarian and egg-inclusive diets, illiteracy, sedentary behaviors such as eating while watching television or using a mobile phone and insufficient physical activity.