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

## TL;DR

The study found that 11% of people with abdominal obesity in North-West Lahore are metabolically healthy, and this condition is more common in younger people and those who eat breakfast regularly.

## Contribution

This study identifies the prevalence and lifestyle associations of metabolically healthy obesity in a specific regional population.

## Key findings

- MHO prevalence was 11% in the studied population.
- MHO was inversely related to age and more common in females and married individuals.
- Skipping breakfast was strongly associated with lower odds of MHO.

## Abstract

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.

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.

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)].

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