Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in a Nigerian Population.

Fatai A Maruf,Nwannedimma V Udoji

doi:10.2188/jea.je20140099

Abstract

ObjectiveThis survey explored prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associations with socio-demographic variables in a Nigerian population.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey involved 1521 adults in Nnewi. Age, sex, educational and occupational status, and BMI were recorded.ResultsPrevalence of overweight was higher in males (32.3%; 95% CI, 29.5%–35.2%) than in females (29.8%; 95% CI, 26.8%–33.0%); the reverse was the case for prevalence of obesity (19.6%; 95% CI, 17.3%–22.2% in males and 36.0%; 95% CI, 32.8%–39.4% in females). Higher odds ratios (ORs) for overweight and obesity were observed in participants aged 41–60 years (OR 2.03; 95% CI, 1.57–2.61 for overweight and OR 4.29; 95% CI, 3.25–5.67 for obesity) and those >60 years (OR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21–2.43 for overweight and OR 4.21; 95% CI, 2.86–6.19 for obesity) compared to those aged 18–40 years. Female sex was associated with higher ORs for overweight (OR 1.20; 95% CI, 0.96–1.51) and obesity (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.73–2.83). Participants with secondary education had marginally higher ORs for overweight (OR 1.15; 95% CI, 0.88–1.51) and obesity (OR 1.17; 95% CI, 0.86–1.59) than those with tertiary education, and so were those with primary education for obesity (OR 1.19; 95% CI, 0.74–1.89) but higher OR for overweight (OR 1.44; 95% CI, 0.98–2.13). Unskilled participants had about the same OR for overweight and obesity as professionals, and while skilled participants had about the same OR for overweight as professionals, their OR for obesity (OR 1.27; 95% CI, 0.67–2.43) was fairly higher than that for professionals.ConclusionsPrevalence of overweight is higher in males than in females, but the reverse is the case for prevalence of obesity. Older age and female sex are associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity, while working at a skilled occupation is associated with obesity, and tertiary educational attainment is associated with overweight.

Highlights

Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than a billion overweight adults, and are major contributors to the global burden of chronic disease and disability.[1]
The prevalence of overweight tended to be higher in males (32.3%; 95% CI, 29.5%–35.2%) than in females (29.8%; 95% CI, 26.8%–33.0%), whereas the reverse was the case for prevalence of obesity (19.6%; 95% CI, 17.3%–22.2% in males and 36.0%; 95% CI, 32.8%–39.4% for females)
The prevalence of overweight tended to be highest in the 41–60 years age group (33.3%; 95% CI, 29.7%–37.0%), and the prevalence of obesity tended to be highest in the age group >60 years (38.5%; 95% CI, 32.9%–44.4%) (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than a billion overweight adults, and are major contributors to the global burden of chronic disease and disability.[1]. These lifestyles promote excessive caloric intake and sedentary patterns that induce a positive energy balance leading to weight gain.[7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion