SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN NIGERIAN ADULTS

Akinroye, Kingsley

INTRODUCTION: Baseline information on socio-demographic correlates of body weight status is relevant for controlling the rising epidemics of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries. However, there is paucity of comparable data from many African countries to inform intervention in this context. This study assessed the socio-demographic correlates of overweight/obesity in Nigerian adults, with a view to informing prevention and control interventions.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 1411 Nigerian adults (age: 20-65 years and 43.1% female) in Metropolitan Maiduguri, Nigeria. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight and interview-led self-reported socio-demographic information were conducted. The primary outcome was overweight/obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m²) vs. normal weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Socio-demographic correlates of overweight/obesity were identified using the binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 33.9% of Nigerian adults were overweight/obese (24.3% with BMI >25 kg/m²; 9.5% with BMI >30 kg/m²). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of overweight/obesity between men (33.3%) and women (34.7%), but overweight/obesity tends to increase with increasing age category (p<0.001). After adjustment for sufficient physical activity, overweight/obesity was positively associated with female gender (OR=1.44, CI=1.05-1.99), being single or not married (OR= 2.78, CI= 1.33- 5.82), being employed by the government (OR=1.86, CI= 1.30- 2.66) and belonging to the Kanuri or Shuwa ethnic group (OR= 1.83, CI= 1.28- 2.64), but negatively associated with lower income (OR= 0.51, CI= 0.32- 0.88) and belonging to the Igbo ethnic group (OR= 0.33, CI=0.19-0.54).

CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic factors were associated with being overweight/obese among Nigerian adults. These findings suggest that socio-demographic specific interventions may be warranted in the control and prevention of overweight or obesity in Nigerian adults.