The purpose of this study was to determine anthropometric measurements, dietary nutrient intakes, simple food intake frequencies, and rates of obesity in Cambodian women. A total 186 women, aged 20-69 years, living in Kampong Spue province of Cambodia and having the responsibility to prepare family meals participated in this study. Height and weight were measured body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and one-day 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaires were conducted. In total, 18.8% were underweight, 49.5% were normal weight, 13.4% were overweight, and 18.3% were obese according to the World Health Organization BMI standard for Asians. No significant difference in height by obesity level was determined (p≥0.05). The mean energy intake was 1571.2 kcal/day and protein intake was 43.6 g/day. There were significant differences in protein, niacin, and vitamin C intakes by obesity level (p<0.05). The prevalence of subjects consuming vitamins and minerals less than 75% of Recommended Dietary Allowances was 73-99%. All Cambodian women consumed rice ≥1 time/day. Approximately 50% of subjects reported ≥1 time/day intake frequency of bread, cookies, and chips. In total, 35% indicated no intake of beans or bean products. For intake frequencies of carbonated beverages and sports drinks, there was a significant difference by obesity level (p<0.05). These results may be very helpful to prepare nutrition education programs for Cambodian women

This study was performed to examine the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), the body fat, and the serum lipids of post-menopausal women in rural areas. The subjects were 510 women aged 50 and over. As a result of this study, we found a trend of decreasing BMI as age increased, but body fat increased. In addition, there was a significant decreasing of the lean body mass than an increasing of the body mass index according to increasing age. Therefore, this study confirmed that a main cause of rural women being classified as obese is a decrease in lean body mass, rather than an increase in of body fat. Of all subjects, 36.3% (18.5≤BMI 〈 23) of all subjects were classified as having normal BMI, whereas only 21.4% were classified as having normal body fat. Out of 190 subjects who were body fat 30% and over, 38 subjects were classified as obese (BMI≥25) and 113 subjects were classified as overweight (23≤BMI 〈 25). The percentile of those with a BMI of 25kg/m2 was 70, and they had 30.82% body fat. HDL cholesterol showed a negative correlation with anthropometric factors (height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, body fat), and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides showed a positive correlation. Especially, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and hip circumference showed significant correlations. Because of differences in the body fat and lean body mass by age group, it seems difficult to assess obesity via BMI only. The elderly especially should have a higher significance placed on body fat or abdominal fat than only BMI.

To compare actual obesity rate and self-evaluated body shape, 651 women living in Inchon were participated in the measurement of anthropometric indices and in the survey by questionnaire. Mean RBW and BMI were in normal range except the girl in 13-15 years. RBW and BMI of the women in 40s and 50s were significantly higher than those in women in younger ages(p<0.001). Triceps skinfold thickness of the subjects were not significantly different. Significantly low DRBW in teenagers and women in 20s showed that their desire to reduce body weight were very strong. Over the half of the subjects thought they were too heavy and unsatisfied at their body shapes. The parts of the body desired to remove extra fat were the waist & abdomen in women over 30s and the thigh & legs in teenagers. It is thought that women, especially in 10s and 20s need the education about the appropriate evaluation of body shape and also need the nutrition education about the deteriorated influence of underweight on health.