Association between psychosocial stress and obesity among migrant and non-migrant Ghanaians

Abstract

Abstract Background Psychosocial stress is associated with obesity in some populations, but it is unclear whether the association is related to migration. Aim This study explored associations between psychosocial stress and obesity among Ghanaian migrants in Europe and non-migrant Ghanaians in Ghana. Methods Cross-sectional data from the RODAM study were used, including 5898 Ghanaians residing in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, rural Ghana, and urban Ghana. Perceived discrimination, negative life events and stress at work or at home were examined in relation to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Linear regression analyses were performed separately for migrants and non-migrants stratified by sex. Results Perceived discrimination was not associated with BMI and WC in both migrants and non-migrants. However, negative life events were positively associated with BMI (β = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.34 to 1.22) and WC (β = 1.96, 95% CI, 0.79 to 3.12) among male Ghanaian migrants. Among non-migrant Ghanaians, in contrast, stress at work or at home was inversely associated with BMI and WC in both males (β=-0.66, 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.28; β=-1.71 95% CI, -2.69 to -0.73, respectively) and females (β=-0.81, 95% CI, -1.20 to -0.42; β=-1.46, 95% CI, -2.30 to -0.61, respectively). Conclusions Negative life events are associated with increased body weight among Ghanaians in European settings, whereas stress at work or at home is associated with reduced body weight among Ghanaians in Ghana. More work is needed to understand the underlying factors driving these differential associations in order to assist prevention efforts. Key messages Negative life events are associated with increased body weight among Ghanaians in European settings, whereas stress at work or at home is associated with reduced body weight among Ghanaians in Ghana. More work is needed to understand the underlying factors driving these differential associations in order to assist prevention efforts.