Investigating the obesity trend of overweight and obese people with pictograms among Iranian adults

Purpose Obesity is a major public health concern, particularly in resource-constrained areas where measuring it accurately is challenging due to insufficient equipment and trained personnel. In Iran, there is a notable lack of comprehensive longitudinal studies using modern tools to track adult obesity trends. This study employed body shape pictograms (BIP) to classify abdominal obesity and aimed to reveal trends in perceived obesity among Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional study involved individuals from the multidisciplinary obesity registry at Shariati Hospital, from 2013 to February 2021. It included patients aged 30 to 65 with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 35) who were potential bariatric surgery candidates. Medical history, anthropometric data, laboratory data, and the obesity pictogram were collected through face-to-face private interviews. Results We recruited 346 participants (287 females and 59 males). The study found an upward trend in obesity, indicated by pictogram scores across all categories (p < .001). Mean pictogram scores significantly varied by obesity levels based on BMI (p < .001) and were positively associated with waist and hip circumference (p < .001). No significant associations were found with diabetes or metabolic syndrome status. Conclusion This study underscores the significant trend of perceived obesity among Iranian adults, as assessed through pictograms. Accurate data on obesity trends among overweight and obese individuals over time can play a crucial role in shaping the country's health policies to combat obesity.