Abstract

Information on the distribution and predictors of obesity in Africa is needed to identify populations at risk and explore intervention options. Our objectives were to (a) examine the prevalence and geographic distribution of overweight and obesity among Cameroonian women; (b) evaluate change in anthropometric indicators among urban women between 2009 and 2012; (c) examine associations between household and individual characteristics and overweight and obesity; and (d) examine relationships between body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity, and inflammation. We analysed data from a nationally representative survey conducted in 3 geographic strata (North, South, and Yaoundé/Douala) in Cameroon in 2009 and a survey in Yaoundé/Douala in 2012. Participants selected for this analysis were nonpregnant women, ages 15–49 years (n = 704 in 2009; n = 243 in 2012). In 2009, ~8% of women were underweight (BMI < 18.5) and 32% overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25.0). Underweight was most common in the North (19%) and overweight and obesity in the South (40%) and Yaoundé/Douala (49%). Prevalence of BMI ≥ 25.0 in Yaoundé/Douala did not differ in 2012 compared with 2009 (55.5% vs. 48.7%; P = 0.16). Residence in urban areas, greater maternal age, and TV ownership were independently related to overweight and obesity in national and stratified analyses. In Yaoundé/Douala in 2012, 48% (waist‐to‐hip ratio > 0.85) to 73% (waist circumference > 80 cm) had abdominal obesity. Body mass index was positively associated with abdominal obesity and inflammation. Though causal inferences cannot be drawn, these findings indicate population subgroups at greatest risk for overweight and associated health consequences in Cameroon.

Highlights

  • The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, even in low‐ income countries (NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD‐RisC), 2016)

  • Overweight and obesity are common among women in Cameroon, in the largest cities of Yaoundé and Douala and in urban areas generally

  • Overweight was more common among households with greater socio‐economic status and among older women and women with more education

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Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, even in low‐ income countries (NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD‐RisC), 2016). Projections are for an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, from 1.3 billion people affected in 2005 to 3.28 billion in 2030; currently 57 of 129 countries have high prevalence of both underweight and overweight (Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, 2016). The nutrition transition in this region is associated with an increase in other risk factors, for example, hypertension in Cameroon (Bosu, 2015; Fezeu, Kengne, Balkau, Awah, & Mbanya, 2010). Diabetes prevalence is increasing in some areas within countries, urban Ghana and Senegal (Bosu, 2015), and incidence is projected to double between 2000 and 2030 (Haggblade et al, 2016). A cross‐sectional study among adults of African origin from Cameroon, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom found gender to influence the relationship of dietary intakes to overweight or obesity (Jackson et al, 2007)

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