Abstract
Over a few decades obesity has become a major global health problem. Its prevalence worldwide has more than doubled since 1980. The situation is expected to worsen in the future, especially in the developing countries that experience nutrition transition due to economic growth. It contributes to reduction in malnutrition which supports an increase in obesity prevalence. The aim of this study was to analyse the predictors of obesity in the region of East Africa. Meta-analysis of existing studies was used in order to find the different risk factors and their significance in obesity development. Data extracted from 16 published academic research articles described the situation in East African countries. The significance of the effect of each variable was tested by means of an asymptotic chi-square test, or Fisher's exact (factorial) test and the risk ratios were calculated. Based on the chi-square test and the risk ratios of the aggregated data, three risk factors were found to be significant in the development of obesity - gender, type of residence and socio-economic status. In East African countries, women are significantly more likely to be obese. Living in an urban area and socioeconomic status are also positively associated with obesity. Because of insufficient data three other risk factors did not prove to be of any significance - alcohol consumption, smoking and education level. Conclusions of this meta-analysis confirm world trends but we also found results that are not in line with them (e.g. education). This meta-analysis confirms the huge existing research gap concerning obesity predictors in the East African region.
Highlights
Over a few decades obesity has become a major global health problem[1]
This study focused on a small region of 6 East African countries and the risk factors for obesity
For Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan no appropriate articles were found. This compromises the size of research sample and the validity of the results for the whole East African region, on the other hand it clearly shows the existing research gap in this region
Summary
Over a few decades obesity has become a major global health problem[1]. According to the World Health Organi- AfricanHealth Sciences (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.African Health Sciences Vol 20 Issue 1, March, 2020Numerous studies have recommended[1,5,6,7] an urgent global action plan to create appropriate policies and raise public awareness about obesity. Nowadays, developing countries experience nutrition transition as economic growth has changed peoplesnutritional habits[14] This contributes to reduction in malnutrition, which supports an increase in obesity prevalence[14]. During the Nairobi conference in 2009 it was stated that African continent is in urgent need to develop appropriate health policies against obesity[15] These should be based on robust research and use local approaches and traditions[16]. The situation is expected to worsen in the future, especially in the developing countries that experience nutrition transition due to economic growth It contributes to reduction in malnutrition which supports an increase in obesity prevalence. Conclusion: Conclusions of this meta-analysis confirm world trends but we found results that are not in line with them (e.g. education) This meta-analysis confirms the huge existing research gap concerning obesity predictors in the East African region. Analysis of main risk factors contributing to obesity in the region of East Africa: meta-analysis
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