Untitled

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are major health challenges among young adults globally, particularly in developing countries including Nigeria. They are significant risk factors for the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. As a result, it has become a health hazard and is an emerging public health problem. This study determined the prevalence and comorbidities of overweight and obesity among patients admitted to Madonna University Teaching Hospital Elele from 2010 to 2021. A crosssectional study was carried out using a survey research design and included patients diagnosed with overweight and obesity in the hospital through a simple random sampling technique. A sample size of 305 was selected and 300 analyzable questionnaires were returned. Data were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Package of social science (SPSS version 21). A p-value of less than 0.0 was considered significant. Out of the 300 participants, the modal age was 22-25 years (36.5%). The majority of the respondents were female (52.5%), and Igbo was the predominant tribe (45%). Christianity was the predominant religion 90.5% and 122(40.5%) had secondary educations qualification. The highest prevalence was recorded in 2021 with a prevalence of 39.3%. The majority of the respondents (23.8%) identified insulin resistance as a comorbidity associated with overweight and obesity, followed by hypertension (20.6%), diabetes mellitus (17.3%), sleep disorder (13.2%), and stroke (13.2%). Overall, 206 (68.7%) of the respondent exercise vigorously for 20 or more minutes at least three times a week while a majority of the respondents 204(68.1%) read or watch TV programs about improving health. Most of them 201(66.9%) limit use of sugars and food containing sugar. The study showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients in the population was high in 2021. Comorbid diseases associated were hypertension, insulin resistance, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and stroke. There was a relationship between age, gender, ethnicity, and educational status in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the patients. Age, gender, and educational status significantly affected the adoption of a health-promoting lifestyle among the patients.