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Abstract

Introduction: There is a global rise in the prevalence of obesity in both developed and developing countries reaching epidemic levels.Objective: This study aims at determining the prevalence of obesity among urban and rural dwellers in Nigeria. Methods:The study was a cross sectional study, 400 subjects were selected (198 males and 202 females) through a systematic random sampling procedure. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and anthropometric indices. Anthropometric data were measured by standard methods. The body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist hip ratio and total body fat percentage were determined. Descriptive statistics, χ2 and correlation were performed on the data at 5% level of significance. Results:The mean BMI was 24.2±4.43. The prevalence of obesity in the urban and rural areas were 16.5% and 4.0% respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence of obesity was lower among participants who were active than those who lived a sedentary lifestyle (6.0% vs14.4%; p< 0.05). Those who consumed alcohol had higher BMI than those who do not consume alcohol (12.0 vs 9.9; p<0.05). About 32.3% men from urban vs. 10.2% from rural had waist circumferences ≥94cm (p<0.05). Similar trends were also observed among the women. There was also a strong correlation between the BMI, WC and WHR in both the male and female participants. Conclusion:Obesity is significantly (P<0.05) prevalent in the urban area than in rural area.