Prevalence of weight related complications across Diverse Weight Classifications – A large cross-sectional study in India, Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnam

The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related complications in India, Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnam is a poses a significant healthcare problem. But there is a concern that using the existing BMI cut-offs, which are applicable to Caucasians may not accurately reflect the extent of the problem., which may not accurately reflect the prevalence of obesity-related complications in the South Asian population. Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) as early as 2000 and

the Southeast Asian Consensus report in 2022 underscore this discrepancy. Moreover, the current Asian South Asian/Southeast Asian BMI classification for obesity requires further validation through larger evidence-based studies, particularly in correlation with weight-related complications, with limited evidence available from studies such as Kapoor Kerala study. In Pakistan, studies such as Ali et al. (2018) highlight that the conventional BMI thresholds may underestimate the prevalence of obesity-related health risks among the Pakistani population. Similar concerns are echoed in the Philippines, where research by Santos et al. (2020) suggests that lower BMI cut-offs might be more predictive of metabolic syndromes and cardiovascular diseases in the Filipino population. In Vietnam, Nguyen et al. (2019) provide evidence that the general BMI guidelines do not align well with the health outcomes related to obesity in Vietnamese adults, suggesting a need for region-specific adjustments.

These studies collectively indicate a critical need for revisiting and possibly revising the BMI classifications used for these populations to better predict and manage the health risks associated with obesity.

In the broader Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines and Vietnam, challenges related to obesity care are also prominent. The "ACTION APAC: Understanding perceptions, attitudes and behaviours in obesity and its management across South and Southeast Asia" study provides valuable insights into the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours related to obesity management in these countries. Significantly, the study reveals that a notable proportion of individuals with obesity perceive themselves to be of normal weight or overweight, potentially denying their obesity status. This observation emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours related to obesity in the region.

Additionally, while a survey from 6 European countries has demonstrated a link between obesity related complications and increased Healthcare Resource Utilization (HCRU), there is a lack of data pertaining to South-East Asia in this regard. This highlights the need for comprehensive data from the Asia-Pacific region to inform effective obesity management strategies.

The proposed large cross-sectional study aims to Complement the findings of the ACTION APAC study and provide a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of weight-related complications across diverse weight classifications in India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. The study seeks to validate the existing BMI classification for obesity in the region and establish correlations with weight-related complications. Furthermore, it aims to shed light on the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours of individuals with obesity in these countries. The ultimate goal of this study is to foster advocacy among healthcare providers, individuals with obesity, policy makers, and healthcare systems to effectively identify, prevent, and manage obesity in India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. By doing so, it is anticipated that the study’s findings could potentially lead to improved public health outcomes and resource allocation in these countries.

This study aims to help build advocacy among healthcare professionals, people with obesity, policymakers, and healthcare systems to effectively identify, prevent, and manage obesity in these countries. The findings will provide valuable data to guide future healthcare policies and interventions.

Study involves only one visit per patient. Patients who are visiting the Clinic/hospital for their routine clinical care and meets the study criteria will be asked to participate in the study. Data will be collected after obtaining the consent.