Abstract

BackgroundObesity has become a disease of global public health concern in both developing and developed countries. We investigated the influence of socio-demographic, dietary habits and physical activity levels on general and abdominal obesity among a sample of university students in Ghana.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of 552 students attending the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tamale, Ghana. Demographic characteristics were assessed using questionnaire. Dietary habits were measured by means of food frequency questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements were done using appropriate methods. Physical activity levels were measured using the World Health Organization (WHO) global physical activity questionnaire. Spearman’s nonparametric correlation coefficient and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the determinants of general and abdominal obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of general overweight/obesity (25.8 % vs. 5.9 %) and abdominal obesity (40.9 % vs. 0.8 %) was higher in female students than in male students. General overweight/obesity was less likely in students who engaged in vigorous physical activity (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.3, 95 % CI = 0.1 – 0.7, p = 0.004), but more likely in students who consumed fruits and vegetables > 3 days per week (AOR = 2.6, 95 % CI = 1.2 – 5.4, p = 0.015). Abdominal obesity was also less likely in male students (AOR = 0.0, 95 % CI = 0.0 – 0.5, p = 0.017) but more likely in students who consumed roots and tubers > 3 times per week (AOR = 8.0, 95 % CI = 2.2 – 10.1, p = 0.017) and in those who consumed alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages > 3 times per week (AOR = 8.2, 95 % CI = 2.2 – 31.1, p = 0.002).ConclusionDemographic factors, dietary habits and physical activity levels were found to be associated to general overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. General overweight/obesity was associated to the consumption of fruits and vegetables > 3 times a week. The consumption of roots and tubers > 3 times per week and alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages > 3 times a week was associated to abdominal obesity. Engagement in vigorous physical activity and being male were negatively associated to general overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity respectively. Promotion of active lifestyles in young adults should be encouraged.

Highlights

  • Obesity has become a disease of global public health concern in both developing and developed countries

  • This study investigated the associations between general overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity and demographic factors, dietary habits and physical activity levels in a sample of university students in Ghana

  • In keeping with the literature that obesity is associated with physical activity (Mogre et al 2014; Mogre et al 2012; Bulló et al 2011; Worthy et al 2010) we found that students who engaged in vigorous physical activity had lower odds of being generally overweight/obese

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Summary

Introduction

Obesity has become a disease of global public health concern in both developing and developed countries. Obesity and its co-morbidities are the leading causes of such non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and the metabolic syndrome (Visscher and Seidell 2001). Even though BMI-measured obesity has been shown to be associated to cardiovascular diseases and other forms of non-communicable diseases, some studies report that pattern of body (Wei et al 1997; Folsom et al 1993; Xavier Pi-Sunyer 2000) fat distribution is a more important determinant than general obesity. Abdominal obesity measured by waist circumference has been shown to be associated with increased overall risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes (Prineas et al 1993)

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