Assessing physical activity, nutrient intake and obesity in middle-aged adults in Akuse, Lower Manya Krobo, Ghana

David Adjatey Nyakotey,Charles Apprey,Alberta Seyram Ananga

doi:10.1108/jhr-03-2020-0068

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess physical activity and nutrient intake and their association with obesity in apparently healthy middle-aged adults in Akuse, a rural community in the Eastern region of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study assessed demography and anthropometry, nutrient intakes using a 3-day repeated 24 h dietary recall and physical activity using the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed with SPSS version 25.FindingsThere were 118 respondents (55 males, 46.6% and 63 females, 53.4%) in the study with mean age of 45.62 ± 6.88 years. About 90% of respondents were physically active based on WHO physical activity recommendation. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among inactive participants compared to active participants and sitting/reclining hours was significantly (p-value = 0.042) associated positively with BMI after a bivariate correlation analysis, suggesting that physical activity plays a role in obesity. About one in five respondents were obese. Mean energy intake exceeded RDA for females. Sodium intake far exceeded RDA for both males and females, putting the population at potential risk of hypertension.Practical implicationsThis study demonstrates the need for intensifying health education and other obesity prevention interventions to curb the rising obesity prevalence in rural communities.Originality/valueThe study revealed that overweight/ obesity in this rural community is higher than previously reported for rural Ghana.

Highlights

Obesity is a common cardio-metabolic condition and its prevalence has been on a dramatic rise in the past two decades; in advanced countries and in developing nations [1, 2]
Sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status and physical activity level of respondents This study involved a total of 118 participants out of which 63 (53.4%) were female and 55 (46.6%) were male
Prevalence of obesity This study reported prevalence of 33% and 19% respectively for overweight and obesity, far higher than findings from the RODAM study that pegged obesity among rural Ghanaians at 4.8% [18], the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey [6] which reported 5% rural obesity prevalence and the systematic review by Ofori-Asenso et al [5] reported 8.0% obesity prevalence

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a common cardio-metabolic condition and its prevalence has been on a dramatic rise in the past two decades; in advanced countries and in developing nations [1, 2]. Findings from the Non-Communicable Disease Collaboration analyses of over 19 million adults revealed that the prevalence of obesity globally in 1975 had doubled by 2014 [3]. The WHO estimated that in 2016, global obesity (as defined by BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) prevalence stood at 13% (11% in men and 15% in women aged 18 years and above) [4]. In Ghana, the increasing obesity trend is evident. Findings from a systematic review [5] revealed that the more recent studies (2007 to 2016) reported higher overweight and obesity prevalence compared to earlier studies (1998–2006).

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