ISSN 2326-7291
International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Visceral fat with its risk factors amongst the Indonesian Javanese elderly
Fatmah, Yusran
Department of Public Health Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, West Java Province, Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel/Fax: +62-21-7863501.
Accepted 26 March, 2019
Abstract
Direct and indirect risk factors are implied in increased elders’ visceral fat level, namely socio-economic, gender, age, workload, physical activities and eating pattern. The aim of study was to get the information on visceral fat level and its risk factors amongst The Indonesian Javanese elderly. A total of 812 elder’s (517 women and 295 men) participated in the cross sectional study. Results showed that 12.8% of respondents with high level of visceral fat and 26.7% almost reach high level. Rural and urban areas, educational background, workload when aged 25 and 55 years, and physical activities aged 25 and 55 years had significant correlation with the visceral fat. Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, and height had a significant association with the visceral fat whereas the highest on the BMI (r = 0.896). A decreased visceral fat pattern following reduced weight and height according to sex. Mild physical workload aged 55 years had the opportunity of 2.29 times greater than those who had the heavy workload level at the same age. Nutrition education for elderly should include advice to increase physical activity in order to reduce high level of visceral fat.
Key words: Visceral fat, risk factors, elderly, physical activity, workload.