Factors Associated with Over weigh among the Working-Age Population in Ban Haet Subdistrict Municipality, Ban Haet District, Khon Kaen

Abstract

         Overweight and obesity among working-age populations are rapidly increasing public health problems contributing to noncommunicable diseases. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to investigate factors associated with overweight (BMI ≥23.0 kg/m²) among 289 working-age adults aged 18–59 years in Ban Haet Subdistrict Municipality, Khon Kaen Province. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire and analysed using Simple and Multiple Logistic Regression with Backward Elimination, Interaction Effect testing, Stratified Analysis, and Population Attributable Risk Percent (PAR%) calculation.

            The prevalence of overweight was 50.2% (n=145). Multiple logistic regression identified age ≥40 years as the sole independent risk factor (AOR=2.82; 95%CI: 1.61, 4.95). No significant Interaction Effect was found between age and sex or nutrition literacy (p>0.70). Stratified analysis revealed the highest cumulative-risk subgroup to be adults aged ≥40 years with low-to- moderate nutrition literacy (63.1%). A PAR% of 57.6% indicated that reducing the age-related risk to the level of those under 40 could decrease the population-level overweight burden by more than half.

            These findings demonstrate that interventions targeting working-age adults aged ≥40 years and integrating nutrition literacy development-particularly self-management and decision-making competencies - hold the greatest potential for reducing disease burden in semi-urban Thai communities.