Abstract
For many developing countries, obesity and its sequelae have become a challenge of a magnitude similar to hunger and undernutrition. The main objective of this study was, therefore, to investigate the weight status of women in rural Tanzania with reference to season as well as the link between women's weight, food consumption, and attitudes toward obesity. Three cross-sectional surveys in 3 different seasons within 1 year interviewed the same 210 women, ages 17-45 years, from 3 rural districts of northeastern and central Tanzania. These surveys assessed body mass index (BMI), food intake, and dietary diversity through 24-hour recalls, women's attitudes toward obesity, vegetable production, and socioeconomic status. Although 71% of the women had a normal BMI, 7% were underweight, 16% overweight, and 6% obese. The BMI was correlated with the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), the Food Variety Score (FVS), with the consumption of foods from the food groups "bread/cakes," "sugar," and "tea," and with the production of exotic vegetables. In a multiple regression model, FVS was directly associated with BMI. When asked to describe the typical characteristics of an obese person, women mentioned more negative than positive characteristics. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 3 times higher than that of underweight. Apparently, even in rural areas of Tanzania, a nutrition transition is underway. No direct association was identified between vegetable consumption and BMI. Although this study did not assess behavioral factors, such behavioral factors as activity levels as well as attitudes need to be considered, even in rural settings, to address all facets of malnutrition.
Highlights
IntroductionObesity and its sequelae have become a challenge of a magnitude similar to hunger and undernutrition
For many developing countries, obesity and its sequelae have become a challenge of a magnitude similar to hunger and undernutrition
body mass index (BMI) was correlated with the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), the Food Variety Score (FVS), with the consumption of foods from the food groups ‘‘bread/cakes,’’ ‘‘sugar,’’ and ‘‘tea,’’ and with the production of exotic vegetables
Summary
Obesity and its sequelae have become a challenge of a magnitude similar to hunger and undernutrition. I n 1997, a World Health Organization (WHO) consultation formally recognized that the obesity epidemic occurs worldwide and is not limited to the developed world.[1] Globalization of food markets, urbanization, and economic growth are the main drivers of this development. Global Health: Science and Practice 2013 | Volume 1 | Number 3 last decades that affect nutritional patterns.[2,3] An early stage of the nutrition transition—and a typical trend in developing countries—is characterized by increased consumption of cheap vegetable oils that are rapidly integrated into local diets as additional food items. The diet but the whole environment can be ‘‘obesogenic’’5 (promoting excessive weight gain), contributing to increased levels of obesity
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