Obesity Determined by Different Measures and its Impact on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Young-Adult Nigerians

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight/obesity is rising in developing countries yet their effects on the Quality Of Life (QOL) of Nigerians have not been assessed. This study therefore investigated the prevalence of obesity determined by different tools and their effects on the QOL of young Nigerians. Internationally accepted protocols were employed for the anthropometric diagnosis of obesity while the percentage body fat was estimated using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device. The QOL of the subjects were assessed by subjective self-report. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed on the data generated. A total of 2000 young-adult Nigerians (50% females) were studied. The results show that a total of 17, 3.9, 0.4, 11.9 and 18% of the population were overweight/obese, when BMI, WC, WHpR, WHtR and percentage body fat, respectively, were used as diagnostic criteria. There was a clear female preponderance of obesity in the population. As much as 12.4% of the population were completely dissatisfied with their QOL and the QOL of the subjects was negatively affected by overweight/obesity irrespective of the diagnostic used. The QOL was worse in subjects with visceral obesity and very high percentage body fat compared to those with generalized obesity. Only the anthropometric measures of obesity were positively correlated with QOL in this population. The prevalence of overweight/obesity in this population is lower than previous reports from similar populations in Nigeria but not reports from outside Nigeria. The impact of obesity on QOL appears to be driven by the functional impairment and physical discomfort that arise from it.

Central Obesity and Stress- Predisposing Factors to Hypertension among Health Workers in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria

“…Central obesity was defined as WC>88cm for women and >102cm for men; WHR ≥0.90 for men and ≥0.85 [8]. Excess body fat was defined as percentage body fat ≥32.0% (females) and ≥21.7% (males) [9][10][11]. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥140/90mmHg [12].…”

Aqueous and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina leaves exert their anti-obesity effects through the modulation of appetite-regulatory hormones

“…Low and middle income countries (LMICs) are thought to be experiencing increases in the obesity epidemic that match, or in some cases surpass, those of some high income countries. A recent study in young-adult Nigerians reported overweight/obesity in 17% of the population (13% for males and 20.9% for females) (Ejike et al 2015). A slightly earlier study in adult Nigerians (AkaroloAnthony et al 2014) reported significantly higher values [64% (74% for women and 57% for men)].…”

Not a ‘Straitjacket Affair’: Anthropometrically Derived Obesity Index Correlates of Elevated Blood Pressure among University Undergraduates

“…We also found a clear female preponderance of overweight/obesity in the studied population. A recent study among young adults found that a total of 17% of the population (13% for males and 20.9% for females) were overweight/obese according to the BMI diagnostic criteria [ 19 ]. A slightly earlier study in young adults had reported a prevalence of 20.7% (17.5% for males; 24.8% for females) for overweight/obesity using the same standards [ 20 ].…”