Understanding the causal factors of obesity using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Purpose: Behavioural, personal, psychological, sociodemographic, environmental, biological and childbearing factors have been associated with obesity among women. This study quantitatively explored the effects of these factors on predicting body mass index (BMI) in U.S. women using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and determined the effectiveness of using the ICF with population-level data.

Methods: We used the ICF Core Sets for Obesity, and data from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in a sample of 8766 U.S. women to quantify the impact of all associated causal factors. Linear regression was used in the analyses.

Results: Body image perceptions (42%) was the most significant contributor, followed by hypertension (12%), general health condition (11%), diabetes/borderline diabetes (10%), arthritis (9%) and performing vigorous activity (9%).

Conclusions: To decrease obesity prevalence rates in U.S. women, obesity prevention and treatment programmes should parallel the contributory effects of its most significant causal factors of psychological, biological and behavioural. In addition, more research and data are needed to explore the relationship between BMI in women and the multiple influencing factors by going beyond the more frequently available information of age, gender, race, education, income and parity.