Prevalence of overweight and obesity and trends of physical activity in people with epilepsy – An observational study

• Main Authors: Sudhindra Vooturi, Anil Potharaju, Avinash Kandula, Mir Mohammad Ali, Sailakshmi Kalva, Monica Yazala, Sita Jayalakshmi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KIMS Foundation and Research Center 2019-07-01
• Series: Journal of Medical and Scientific Research
• Subjects: epilepsy; physical activity; fitness; walk test
• Online Access: http://jmsronline.com/article.aspx?ID=Prevalence-of-overweight-and-obesity-and-trends-of-physical-activity-in-people-with-epilepsy
• ISSN: 2321-1326; 2394-112X

Background: Alteration of metabolic and biochemical factors is one of the proposed mechanics for higher cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in people with epilepsy (PWE) than general population. We aimed to quantify obesity and physical inactivity in PWE and compare with general population. Methods: In this observational study of PWE with seizure controlled on anti-epileptic drugs, 191 subjects aged 18–60 years recruited. Data on anthropometry, physical activity and six minute walk distance was obtained. A comparison for the above mentioned data in study participants was compared with Indian population average. Association between weight and physical activity was evaluated using correlation analysis. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 26.45±9.85 years with 117(57.0%) men. The mean body mass index was 28.75±6.73 and waist-hip ratio of 0.97±0.08. The prevalence of over-weight (28.5% vs 12.5%; p<0.001), obesity (44.8% vs 21.0%; p<0.001) and pre-diabetes (15.5% vs 8.7%; p<0.05) was significantly higher in PWE than general population. The average distance walked in the six minute walk test was 383.61 ± 71.51 metres. There was no significant correlation between six minute walk test and weight, (r=0.031; p=0.897) and body mass index (r=0.05; p=0.912). PWE who were active, covered more distance in six minute walk than those who were physically inactive (409.68 ± 44.04 vs 382.30 ± 70.0 metres; p=0.030). Conclusion: Prevalence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors like obesity and physical inactivity is significantly higher in people with epilepsy than general population. The role of lifestyle modification in management of these risk factors should be evaluated in people with epilepsy.