| Background. Over the past two decades, obesity among women has significantly increased, with women having the highest prevalence in the United States. Obesity prevention programs and interventions focusing on women have traditionally included individual-level approaches although obesity is a multi-level problem. The research literature has cited numerous factors that contribute to obesity---behavioral, personal, psychological, sociodemographic, environmental, biological, and childbearing. As a result, recent public health efforts have shifted away from individual approaches to those that handle multiple factors.; Methods. While multiple factors have been associated with obesity among women, the degree and variability of the factors have not been determined in the literature. These three studies seek to explore the effects of the multiple factors on BMI in U.S. women using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for Obesity, developed by the World Health Organization and data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Linear regression was used in the analyses.; Results. Significant factors of obesity were sociodemographic information (age, income, and race), body weight perceptions, coexisting health conditions, physical functioning, and engaging in physical activity and proper nutritional practices.; Conclusions. Obesity prevention and treatment programs for U.S. women should focus on the most significant factors identified in these studies to decrease obesity incidence and prevalence.; Public health relevance. The information garnered from this study can be used to further identify the most important characteristics needed for future obesity prevention programs for women. |
