This paper examines the determinants and policy implications of active and healthy ageing in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking the case of Bamenda, in Cameroon. Specifically, the study sought to identify and explore the determinants of active and healthy ageing using a mixed-methods approach involving qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Focus group discussions were conducted complemented by a survey (random and snowball sampling) using a structured questionnaire. Narratives and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data generated from the focus group discussion and Tobit regression was employed to analyze the multiple determinants of active ageing by dimensions and on a global scale in Cameroon. Results identified three key dimensions of active and healthy ageing: employment/livelihood options (EL), community support and health (CH) and housing and living in Bamenda (HL). The regression results reveal gender bias in active ageing, a non-effect of education and health on active ageing, and a positive effect of income on active and healthy ageing. This study contributes, among others, to the competence–environmental press theory on active ageing with regards to unbundling context specific determinants of active and healthy ageing. It equally derives policy considerations with regards to gender mainstreaming and the identification of age friendly income earning options to enhance the active and healthy ageing process.

This study investigated the effect of work stress on obesity in the Bamenda Municipality. We administered work stress test to 1,052 individuals aged 20 and above resident in the Bamenda Municipality. The model was estimated using the multiple regression analysis while the ANOVA and Correlation analysis were used to confirm the findings. From the analysis, it was realized that work stress level had a negative and statistical significant influence on obesity. It was thus concluded that, work stress statistically significantly influenced obesity in the Bamenda Municipality. From this finding, workers especially those who sit while working were advised to make out time for physical exercises and use standing desks when and where possible. Workers were also advised to make sure that, their work schedules did not leave them eating junk food especially at the wrong time. The wrong time here referred to eating while working and/or eating heavy meals late at night because they did not eat all day. Many small meals were found to be healthier than one heavy meal worse of all eating it late at night. Eating late gave individuals no time to be able to use the energy gotten from the food before sleeping. This thus forced their body to convert the food to fat and store thus adding their body weight in the long term. Lastly, we recommended that, the government of Cameroon should institute one compulsory day of the week for workers sports.