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Body Mass Index and Poor Self-Rated Health in 49 Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries, By Sex, 2002–2004

RESEARCH BRIEF — Volume 12 — August 20, 2015

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Figure. Sex-specific associations between body mass index (BMI) and poor self-rated health in 49 low- and middle-income countries. Data were obtained from multilevel multivariable adjusted regression analysis of the World Health Survey, 2002–2004 (N = 160,099). The model was adjusted for age, age-squared, marital status, urbanicity, educational attainment, smoking status, alcohol use, and national gross domestic product per capita. 

Body Mass Index, kg/m2 Men (95% Confidence Interval) Women (95% Confidence Interval)
Low-income countries
Underweight (<18.5) 1.92 (1.69–2.17) 1.42 (1.27–1.58)
Normal (18.5–24.9) 1 (Reference) 1 (Reference)
Overweight (25.0–29.9) 0.86 (0.74–0.99) 0.78 (0.69–0.88)
Obese I (30.0–34.9) 1.05 (0.78–1.41) 1.20 (0.99–1.44)
Obese II and III (≥35.0) 1.49 (1.16–1.91) 1.41 (1.16–1.72)
Middle-income countries
Underweight (<18.5) 1.76 (1.49–2.08) 1.39 (1.22–1.60)
Normal (18.5–24.9) 1 (Reference) 1 (Reference)
Overweight (25.0–29.9) 0.89 (0.80–0.98) 1.12 (1.03–1.21)
Obese I (30.0–34.9) 1.12 (0.95–1.31) 1.39 (1.25–1.54)
Obese II and III (≥35.0) 1.62 (1.32–1.99) 1.88 (1.65–2.14)

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