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Abstract The Prevalence of Obesity in Selected Hutterite Colonies Lisa J. Duncan 1996 The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity in selected South Dakota Hutterite Colonies. It was a secondary data analysis of the 285 adult Hutterites who participated in the Linkage Studies of Asthma: Search for Susceptibility Loci, a grant funded by the National Institutes of Health. Adult Hutterites also completed a self report questionnaire on perceived body weight. Obesity was defined by body mass index. The prevalence in adult Hutterites 32.7% (males 36%, and females 30%). Data analysis on perceived body weight showed a highly significant relationship (p≤0.001) between actual weight and perceived weight. The relationship between weight and desire to change weight is significant. As BMI increase, there is an increase in reported desire to change weight. Forty four percent of the sample would like to change their weight. Reported plans to change ranged from “don’t know” to “diet and exercise”. There is an association between weight with age, and weight with hypertension. Age is a positive predictor of weight, for every pound increase in weight, the odds of developing hypertension increase. The prevalence of hypertension in this sample is 27.7%. With the increase prevalence of obesity and hypertension in the Hutterite Community, weight and blood pressure screenings are essential. Health promotion behaviors should be encouraged as a benefit to the individual and the Hutterite Community.
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