OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in Jordan, to assess related trends, and to determine associated factors and comorbidities. METHODS: A multipurpose national household survey of Jordanian adults was conducted over a 4-month period in 2017. Data were collected using a structured validated questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements including waist circumference (WC; measured midway between the iliac crest and the lower rib margin), body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were obtained to categorize participants with regard to overweight and obesity. RESULTS: This study included 4,056 persons (1,193 men and 2,863 women) aged 18 years to 90 years (mean±standard deviation, 43.8±14.2 years). According to the International Diabetes Federation WC criteria, the age-standardized prevalence of obesity was 60.4% among men and 75.6% among women, while approximately three-quarters of men and women were overweight or obese as defined by BMI. The age-adjusted odds of obesity in 2017 were approximately twice those in 2009 in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.98) and women (OR, 1.96). In the multivariate analysis, age, region of residence, and marital status were significantly associated with obesity in both genders. Obesity was significantly associated with increased odds of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS The rate of obesity in Jordan is high and increasing, and obesity is associated with other metabolic abnormalities. Well-defined programs to control and prevent obesity, as well as intersectoral action, are urgently required to reverse current trends.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in Jordan, to assess related trends, and to determine associated factors and comorbidities. METHODS: A multipurpose national household survey of Jordanian adults was conducted over a 4-month period in 2017. Data were collected using a structured validated questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements including waist circumference (WC; measured midway between the iliac crest and the lower rib margin), body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were obtained to categorize participants with regard to overweight and obesity. RESULTS: This study included 4,056 persons (1,193 men and 2,863 women) aged 18 years to 90 years (mean±standard deviation, 43.8±14.2 years). According to the International Diabetes Federation WC criteria, the age-standardized prevalence of obesity was 60.4% among men and 75.6% among women, while approximately three-quarters of men and women were overweight or obese as defined by BMI. The age-adjusted odds of obesity in 2017 were approximately twice those in 2009 in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.98) and women (OR, 1.96). In the multivariate analysis, age, region of residence, and marital status were significantly associated with obesity in both genders. Obesity was significantly associated with increased odds of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS The rate of obesity in Jordan is high and increasing, and obesity is associated with other metabolic abnormalities. Well-defined programs to control and prevent obesity, as well as intersectoral action, are urgently required to reverse current trends.

Evidence of the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and metabolic syndrome (MeS) remains uncertain and incongruent. This study aimed to determine the association between 25(OH)D and MeS among Jordanian adults. A complex multistage sampling technique was used to select a national population-based household sample. The present report deals exclusively with adults aged > 18 years who had complete information on all components of MeS (n = 3,234). A structured questionnaire was used to collect all relevant information. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory measurements were obtained. MeS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Of the total, 42.0% had MeS and 31.7% had 25(OH)D < 30 ng/ml. In a stratified analysis, the prevalence of MeS did not differ significantly between subjects with low and normal 25(OH)D levels for men and women in all age groups. In the multivariate analysis, the odds of MeS were not significantly different between subjects with low and normal 25(OH)D levels (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.70, 1.05, P-value = 0.133). The association between 25(OH)D and MeS remained non-significant when 25(OH)D was analyzed as a continuous variable (OR = 1.004, 95% CI; 1.000, 1.008, P = 0.057) and when analyzed based on quartiles. None of the individual components of MeS were significantly associated with 25(OH)D level. This study does not provide evidence to support the association between 25(OH)D level and MeS or its individual components. Prospective studies are necessary to better determine the roles of 25(OH)D levels in the etiology of MeS.
Adult ; Aged ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Jordan ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vitamin D

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder. Obesity, which is linked with lower adiponectin levels, increases a woman's risk of developing PCOS; however, the association between adiponectin and PCOS is controversial. Adiponectin levels could be affected by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ADIPOQ gene. This study aimed to test the relationship between serum adiponectin and PCOS in Jordan and the association between the rs2241766, rs1501299, and rs266729 SNPs in the ADIPOQ gene and PCOS. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four women with PCOS and 149 age- and body mass index–matched normally menstruating controls were recruited. Serum adiponectin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower (P=0.0064) in PCOS women and rs1501299 (+276 G/T) genotype distributions were significantly different (P=0.01) between them and normally menstruating women. Multivariate analysis revealed that adiponectin levels remained significantly lower in PCOS women (P=0.001; odds ratio [OR], 0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84–0.96). The GT genotype of rs1501299 increased the risk of PCOS (P < 0.001; OR, 5.46; 95% CI, 2.42–12.33) and increased the risk of PCOS by three-fold (P < 0.001; OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.36–6.60) relative to the TT genotype. The GG genotype increased the risk of PCOS as well (P < 0.001; OR, 3:00; 95% CI, 1.36–6.60). CONCLUSION: PCOS is associated with lower serum adiponectin levels independent of age and body mass index. The T allele of the rs1501299 (+276 G/T) SNP of the ADIPOQ gene protects against PCOS.
Adiponectin* ; Alleles* ; Body Mass Index ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Jordan* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

AIM: To compare the level of serum Vitamin D in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) with that in control subjects. METHODS: Serum levels of 25 - hydroxy Vitamin D ( Vitamin D ) were measured using liquid chromatography. Variables like age, sex and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were reported. RESULTS:This study included a total of 55 patients with XFS/XFG and 60 control subjects. Patients with XFS/XFG were significantly older than control subjects (mean age:71.8y vs 67. 5y, P = 0. 002). Gender distribution was similar. The prevalence rates of diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean of Vitamin D was 14.7 ng/mL for patients with XFS/XFG and 14. 9 ng/mL for control subjects with no significant difference. Although Vitamin D level was lower in the XFS/XFG group but multivariate analysis did not show significant difference in Vitamin D deficiency between the two groups after adjusting for age,gender,and medical conditions. CONCLUSION:The outcomes of our study are different from those in the literature. Vitamin D levels were low in both the XFS/XFG group and the control group being lower in the first one but that difference was not statistically significant. XFS and Vitamin D deficiency share common associations with certain systemic diseases. Further studies with larger numbers are needed to elaborate more on these associations and to support further the controversial literature.