Overweight and Obesity: Epidemiological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects (Preliminary Study of 64 Cases Followed in Dietetic Consultation and Review of the Literature)

Abstract

Obesity and excess weight are on the rise in developing countries, which is a source of legitimate concern on the part of the institutions responsible for the health of populations. Overweight and obesity are the fifth most common risk factor for death worldwide, killing at least 2.8 million people each year. In view of the importance of the subject and the lack of sufficient data in our context, it seemed appropriate to us to carry out this preliminary work in Burkina Faso on a population of subjects followed in consultation with Nutrition and Dietetics. The general objective of our work, of a descriptive cross-sectional type, was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic aspects of obesity in a population of consultants, black Africans over a period of one year. The study concerned three (03) private care establishments (clinics) in the city of Ouagadougou in which a Nutrition and Dietetics consultation was available. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which concerned 64 patients followed in nutrition and dietetics consultations from January 2 to December 31, 2012. The material of the study is represented by the analysis of the files of 64 patients followed in consultation of Nutrition and Dietetics in three (03) medical clinics. The most affected age groups were 30 to 40 years (19 cases) and 40 to 50 years (18 cases); 53 women (82.8%) and 11 men (17.2%), i.e. a sex ratio of 4.82. Among our patients, 12 people were overweight (18.75%), 23 had moderate type I obesity (35.94%), 15 severe type III (23.44%) and 14 had type III obesity massive (21.87%). Android-like obesity was predominant in 53 people (82.81%). Among our patients 16 (25%) presented with dyslipidemia, 49 (76.56%) had eating disorders. The most common cloudy snacking was observed in 33 people (67.35%). In terms of evolution and therapy, 31 people (48.44%) followed the diet at term; the others had either abandoned or discontinued treatment, namely therapeutic changes in lifestyles. A total of 51.56% were lost to follow-up. The mean duration of follow-up was 2.7 months. In sum, obesity mostly affects young adults (30 to 40 years old) and females, with a predominance of type I obesity (moderate). Android-type obesity was predominant in both sexes. Preventive actions are needed for citizens of Ouagadougou.