Urban–rural and geographic differences in overweight and obesity in four sub-Saharan African adult populations: a multi-country cross-sectional study
Date
2016Author
Ajayi, IkeOluwapo O.
Adebamowo, Clement
Adami, Hans-Olov
Dalal, Shona
Diamond, Megan B
Bajunirwe, Francis
Guwatudde, David
Njelekela, Marina
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Background: Overweight and obesity are on the rise in developing countries including sub-Saharan Africa. We
undertook a four-country survey to show the collective burden of these health conditions as they occur currently in
sub-Saharan Africa and to determine the differences between urban and rural populations and other socioeconomic factors.
Methods: Participants were nurses in two hospitals in Nigeria (200), school teachers in South Africa (489) and
Tanzania (229), and village residents in one peri-urban (297) and one rural location in Uganda (200) who completed
a standardised questionnaire. Their height and weight were measured and body mass index calculated. Factor
analysis procedure (Principal component) was used to generate a wealth index. Univariate and multivariate analyses
with binary logistic regression models were conducted to examine the associations between potential correlates
and the prevalence of overweight and obesity with 95 % confidence intervals.
Results: The prevalence of overweight and obese (combined) was 46 %, 48 %, 68 %, 75 % and 85 % in rural
Uganda, peri-urban Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa (SA), respectively. Rural Uganda, Peri- urban
Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and SA had obesity prevalence of 10 %, 14 %, 31 %, 40 % and 54 %, respectively
(p < 0.001). Overall, prevalence of overweight was 374 (31 %) and obesity, 414 (34 %). Female sex was a predictor
of overweight and obesity (combined) in peri-urban Uganda [AOR = 8.01; 95 % CI: 4.02, 15.96) and obesity in rural
Uganda [AOR = 11.22; 95%CI: 2.27, 55.40), peri-urban Uganda [AOR = 27.80; 95 % CI: 7.13, 108.41) and SA [AOR = 2.
17; 95 % CI: 1.19, 4.00). Increasing age was a predictor of BMI > =25 kg/m2 in Nigeria [Age > =45 - AOR = 9.11; 95
% CI: 1.72, 48.16] and SA [AOR = 6.22; 95 % CI: 2.75, 14.07], while marital status was predictor of BMI > =25 kg/m2
only in peri-urban Uganda. [Married - AOR = 4.49; 95 % CI: 1.74, 11.57]. Those in Nigeria [AOR = 2.56; 95 % CI: 1.45,
4.53], SA [AOR = 4.97; 95 % CI: 3.18, 7.78], and Tanzania [AOR = 2.68; 95 % CI: 1.60, 4.49] were more likely to have
BMI > =25 kg/m2 compared with the rural and peri-urban sites.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of overweight and obesity in these sub-Saharan African countries and the
differentials in prevalence and risk factors further highlights the need for urgent focused intervention to stem this
trend, especially among women, professionals and urban dwellers.
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