Body mass index–measured adiposity and population attributability of associated factors: a population-based study from Buea, Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundObesity is currently a global health challenge driven by a mix of behavioural, environmental and genetic factors. Up to date population-based disease burden estimates are needed to guide successful prevention and control efforts in African countries. We investigated the prevalence and population attributable fractions of overweight and obesity in Buea, the Southwest region of Cameroon.MethodsData are from a community-based cross-sectional study involving randomly selected adults conducted in 2016. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized according to the WHO classification. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to investigate factors independently associated with obesity. Corresponding population attributable fractions were estimated.ResultsAmong the 1,139 participants, age-standardized prevalence (95% CI) of overweight and obesity were; 36.5 (33.7–39.3) and 11.1 (9.3–12.9) percent respectively. Mean BMI was 25.3 ± 4.3 kg/m2; women were heavier than men (25.8 vs. 24.4 kg/m2; p <0.0001). Factors associated with obesity were; female gender [odds ratio 3.20 (95% CI: 1.93–5.59)], age > 31 years [3.21 (1.86–5.28)] and being married [2.10 (1.60–3.51)]. At the population level; older age, being married, low level of education, high monthly income and physical inactivity accounted respectively for 11.9%, 21.8%, 11.6%, 6.4% and 8.7% of overweight and obesity among the women, while older age and being married explained 9.2% and 28.3% of overweight and obesity in men.ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight and obesity in this semi-urban Cameroonian population is high, affecting over a third of individuals. Community-based interventions to control weight would need to take into account gender specificities and socio-economic status.

Epidemiology of Overweight and Obesity in Adults Living in Cameroon: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…Full texts of the remaining 76 records were scrutinized for eligibility, among which 50 were excluded. In the end, 26 studies were retained for meta‐analysis (Supporting Information Figure S1).…”

“…Seventeen studies were conducted in an urban area only, two in a rural area only, and seven in both urban and rural areas (Supporting Information Table S4). Twenty‐four studies measured BMI , sixteen measured WC , eight measured WHR , and two measured %BF .…”

The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from Ukraine

“…Another study has shown that the dependency between socio-economic status and obesity depends on population, gender and age 30 . In Ethiopia the prevalence of overweight and obesity were 14.7 and 5.8%, respectively 31 . Girls (16.5%) were more overweight than boys (12.3%), nevertheless males (8.6%) were more obese than female children (3.8%).…”

Population awareness of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in Buea, Cameroon

“…These observations are occurring in a country with poor CVD risk profiles; around one in 4 individuals with raised blood pressure [39], about a third being overweight or obese [40], and increasing rates of stroke and stroke mortality [36] in Cameroon.…”