Author(s)

Uchenna Nkemdilim Ijoma¹, Peter Chime², Chinwe Onyekonwu¹, Birinus Adikaibe Ezeala-Adikaibe^1,2*, Casmir Orjioke², Obumneme Benneth Anyim², Obinna Donatus Onodugo¹, Eddy Aneke², Chidimma Brenda Nwatu¹, Ekenechukwu Young¹, Nkeiruka Mbadiwe¹, Oluchi Stella Ekenze¹, Julius Uwabunkeonye Okoye¹, Michael Abonyi², Ifeoma Isabella Ulasi¹, Anthony Mbah¹, Pauline Nkiruka Onodugo¹

¹Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
²Department of Medicine, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Overweight and obesity present a growing health problem among Africans from all socioeconomic status. In Sub Saharan African, obesity is not only a consequence of overnutrition but possibly from excessive consumption of unbalanced diet dominated by carbohydrates and saturated fats. Characteristics of the distribution of obesity/overweight in Nigeria include its high prevalence along with socioeconomic class and in mid-life. Methods: Using the WHO STEP-wise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases, we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study of the adult population living in two urban slums in Enugu. The study was carried out in 2013. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version. Results: A total of 605 (414 women (68.4%) and 191 (31.6%) men were recruited and analysed. The mean body mass index was 25.8 kg/m² higher in females (26.7 kg/m²) than males (24 kg/m²) p < 0.01. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is 29.4% (178/605) and 19.5% (118/605) respectively. There also a modest prevalence of underweight 4% (24/605) among the population. All classes of obesity were significantly more prevalent in females. Significant positive correlates of BMI were: female sex (r = 0.21, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (0.25, p < 0.001), DBP (0.27, p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (0.19, p < 0,001) and positive history of hypertension (0.23, P < 0.001). Negative correlates were physical activity and use of tobacco (0.2 (<0.001) and -0.16 (<0.001) respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity is relatively high in two urban slums in Enugu and co-exists with a modest rate of underweight. Public health and community-based approaches should be used to tackle these two-opposing social/health problems.

Obesity, Overweight, Hypertension, Diabetes, Nigeria

Ijoma, U. , Chime, P. , Onyekonwu, C. , Ezeala-Adikaibe, B. , Orjioke, C. , Anyim, O. , Onodugo, O. , Aneke, E. , Nwatu, C. , Young, E. , Mbadiwe, N. , Ekenze, O. , Okoye, J. , Abonyi, M. , Ulasi, I. , Mbah, A. and Onodugo, P. (2019) Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity in an Urban Area of South East Nigeria. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 10, 735-749. doi: 10.4236/fns.2019.107054.