Association of household motor vehicle ownership with overweight and obesity among Bangladeshi adults: A cross-sectional analysis of 2017-18 Bangladesh demographic and health survey

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between motor vehicle ownership with over-weight and obesity among Bangladeshi adults.Method: This cross-sectional data was retrieved from 2017 to 18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), and the total weighted sample of 12,798 male and female were included in the analysis. Both WHO and Asia-Pacific cut-off were used to categorize the weight status of the respondents. Multinominal logistic regression analysis was performed at 5% level of significance. Results: Overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.1% (95% CI 19.2 to 21.1) and 4.2% (3.8%-4.7%), respectively considering WHO cut-off. However, prevalence of overweight and obesity was found slightly higher when the Asia-Pacific cut-off was considered [29.4% (95% CI 28.4% to 30.4) and 10.8% (95% CI 10.1 to 11.5)], respectively. Adjusted model revealed that the risk of being overweight among the motor vehicle owned household was significantly higher in both cut-offs [WHO cut-off: RRR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.59, p < 0.001 and Asian-Pacific cut-off: RRR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.48, p = 0.014]. Regards to obesity, respondents whose households have motor vehicles were 1.54 times more likely to be obese according to the Asian-Pacific cut-off [RRR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.94, p < 0.001]. Gender stratified analysis suggest household motor vehicle ownership status significantly associated with-overweight (WHO cut-off) and-overweight and obesity (Asia-Pacific cut-off) among males. This association was only significant for obesity (Asian Pacific cut-off) among females.Conclusion: Household motor vehicle ownership was significantly associated with overweight and obesity status. Interventions and policies promoting active transportation and raising awareness regarding harmful consequences of overweight and obesity could be useful.