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Obesity in Tibetans Aged 30–70 Living at Different Altitudes under the North and South Faces of Mt. Everest

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Listed:
  • Lhamo Y. Sherpa

    (Section for Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Oslo, Frederik Holsts hus, Ulleval terrasse, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
    Nepal Institute of Health Sciences affiliated to Purbanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal)

  • Deji

    (Tibet University Medical College, No.1 Loubulinka Road, Lhasa, Xizang 850002, China)

  • Hein Stigum

    (Section for Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Oslo, Frederik Holsts hus, Ulleval terrasse, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
    National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway)

  • Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong

    (Epidemiology Unit, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Dag S. Thelle

    (Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway)

  • Espen Bjertness

    (Section for Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Oslo, Frederik Holsts hus, Ulleval terrasse, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
    Tibet University Medical College, No.1 Loubulinka Road, Lhasa, Xizang 850002, China)

Abstract

Risk factors for chronic diseases in Tibetans may be modified due to hypobaric hypoxia. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of obesity at varying altitudes of 1,200, 2,900 and 3,700 meters above sea-level in Tibet and Nepal; to estimate the effect of altitude on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Three cross-sectional studies with simple random sampling were performed on 617 men and women. BMI, WC and WHtR decreased with increasing altitude. It is likely that the physical conditions such as low temperatures and low oxygen levels have a direct catabolic effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Lhamo Y. Sherpa & Deji & Hein Stigum & Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong & Dag S. Thelle & Espen Bjertness, 2010. "Obesity in Tibetans Aged 30–70 Living at Different Altitudes under the North and South Faces of Mt. Everest," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:4:p:1670-1680:d:7906
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    2. Fang, Hai & Ali, Mir M. & Rizzo, John A., 2009. "Does smoking affect body weight and obesity in China?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 334-350, December.
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