Obesity epidemic has emerged among Nigerians.

Sally N Akarolo-Anthony,Clement A Adebamowo,Donna Spiegelman,Walter C Willett

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-455

Abstract

BackgroundData from the WHO shows that the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by ~20% between 2002 and 2010 in Nigeria. We conducted this study to examine the correlates of this fast growing epidemic.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among a random sample of 1058 adults, who were visitors and staff of a government worksite in Abuja, an urban city in Nigeria. The study participants had varying socio-economic status and a wide range of occupations, including skilled labor and professionals. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate the multivariable-adjusted associations of potential determinants with the prevalence of overweight and obesity.ResultThe mean age and body-mass index of the study population were 42 years ± (9.3) and 27 kg/m2 ± (4.8). The overall prevalence of overweight or obesity (body-mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) was 64% (74% of the women and 57% of the men). For women compared to men, the prevalence ratio (PR) and (95% confidence interval, CI) was 1.24 (95% CI 1.08, 1.43, p = 0.004), for overweight, and 2.54 (95% CI 2.08, 3.10, p = <0.0001), for obesity. Individuals aged 40 – 49 years were more likely to be overweight or obese. The PR for overweight and obesity was 1.45 (95% CI 1.07, 1.97), p for age trend = 0.002 and 8.07(95% CI 3.01, 21.66, p for age trend = <0.0001) for those aged 40 – 49 years, compared with those aged <30 years. Compared with the individuals in the lower socio-economic status, the PR for obesity among those in the middle and high socio-economic statuses, were 1.39 (95% CI 1.13, 1.72) and 1.24 (95% CI 0.97, 1.59) respectively, p for trend = 0.003.ConclusionAbout two-thirds of urban, professional, high socio-economic status Nigerian adults are either overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among this population of adult Nigerians, is as high as it is in the United Kingdom. Female gender and older age were independent predictors of overweight and obesity; while middle or high socio-economic status were independently associated with obesity.

Highlights

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by ~20% between 2002 and 2010 in Nigeria
More people in developing countries die from obesity-associated diseases, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer [5], many people are still under the impression that overweight and obesity affects only the Western world and that lower resource countries continue to struggle with only underweight, malnutrition and infections
The countries with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity tend to be those with low gross domestic product per capita and vice versa, suggesting that socio-economic status may be a determinant of overweight and obesity in some African countries

Summary

Introduction

Data from the WHO shows that the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by ~20% between 2002 and 2010 in Nigeria. More people in developing countries die from obesity-associated diseases, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer [5], many people are still under the impression that overweight and obesity affects only the Western world and that lower resource countries continue to struggle with only underweight, malnutrition and infections. This may not be the case because the obesity epidemic is growing faster in developing countries than in the developed world [6]. The countries with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity tend to be those with low gross domestic product per capita and vice versa, suggesting that socio-economic status may be a determinant of overweight and obesity in some African countries

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