Background We compared obesity risk and its contributors in housewives (HWs) to employees, as a larger portion of women work as housewives in Iran.

Methods Based on the WHO stepwise approach, a cross-sectional survey undertaken throughout Iran in 2005 (33 472 women aged 15–65 years) was used to investigate the major risk factors for obesity. Obesity was determined by BMI >30 kgm⁻² in adults (>20 years) and by female BMI percentiles according to WHO 2007 Growth Reference 5–19 years in adolescents (<20 years). We modelled obesity by logistic regression and entered all the known/potential predictors, including job categories. Weighted prevalence of obesity was calculated by survey analysis series of STATA.

Results The weighted prevalence of overweight and obesity in HWs were 34.5% and 24.5% respectively. Employed women were approximately 4% les overweigh and 10% less and obese than HWs (p<0.01). HWs vs employed women had the adjusted OR 1.39 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.63) for obesity. Older women, with higher educational level and socioeconomic status, lower physical activities and those living in urban areas were at higher risk of obesity. In comparison to HWs, working as an Official Clerk was associated with a significant decrease (OR=0.66) odds of obesity, while other employments didn't show a significant association.

Conclusion Working as HW is a significant independent risk factor for obesity in women. Preventive healthcare programs to reduce risk of obesity in women should be targeted by occupation in order to achieve maximum effectiveness.