Work

Prevalence, risk factors and comorbidities of overweight and obesity among adults in Qatar: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2023 Stepwise Survey

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study examines the prevalence and risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults aged 18-69 years in the Qatar population as insights from the 2023 Stepwise Survey. SETTING: A cross-sectional study using data from a nationally representative population-based 2023 Qatar Stepwise Survey conducted from May to December 2023 in households covering the eight municipalities of Qatar. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5696 male and female Qatari nationals and non-Qatari long-term residents aged 18-69 years from all municipalities of Qatar. Survey participants with nonresponse or missing data on body mass index (BMI) were excluded from the analysis. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 18-69 years in Qatar, classified according to WHO BMI cut-offs (overweight: 25-29.9 kg/m²; obesity: ≥30 kg/m²). Identification of risk factors associated with BMI categories, including sociodemographics, family history of chronic diseases, lifestyle and habitual factors, diet, physical activity and lipid profile, was analysed using the χ² test, analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression to investigate the statistical significance of associations between risk factors and BMI categories. RESULTS: From a total of 5696 eligible participants (52.9% men and 47.1% women, 43% Qatari and 57% non-Qatari), 20.5% had normal weight, 36.4% had overweight and 37.8% had obesity. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher than the population average among women (38.2%), participants aged ≥45 years (44%), Qataris (40.3%), separated/divorced/widowed people (53.3%), participants with low education (46.8%), government employees (36.6%) or unemployed individuals (38.9%). Overweight was more prevalent among men (41.1%), non-Qatari (40.9%), married people (40%), those with higher education (41.8%) and among self-employed individuals (43.4%). Significant correlates of overweight/obesity were being female (adjusted relative risk ratio, aRRR=1.61; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.50; p=0.031), having a family history of obesity (aRRR=2.17; 95% CI 1.32 to 3.7; p=0.004), higher heart rate (aRRR=1.02; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.04; p=0.008), wider waist circumference (aRRR=1.06; 95% CI 1.05 to 01.07; p<0.001), increased triglyceride levels (aRRR=1.40; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.94; p=0.039) and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (aRRR=0.37; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.72; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was high in the Qatar population (74.2%). Family history of obesity and low HDL cholesterol showed the strongest associations with an increased likelihood of obesity among the surveyed individuals. The findings support a primary care-led approach to obesity prevention in Qatar, prioritising middle-aged adults, women and individuals with cardiometabolic conditions, consistent with national NonCommunicable Disease priorities.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-110307