Prevalence of Obesity amongst Adult Patients Seen in Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a global health problem affecting about 48.5% of Nigerian population. The present study was designed to determine the age and sex related prevalence of obesity in an urban Nigeria population.

Materials and Method: Patients seen in the General Out Patient Department of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria formed the study population. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between November, 2006 and June, 2007. Systematic sampling was applied in the recruitment of subjects while data was collected with the aid of self administered questionnaires. The weight (kg) and height (cm) were measured and BMI (kg/m²) calculated from the above variables. Analyses were done by the use of Epi info version 6.05.

Results: A total of 400 consented subjects formed the study population. The prevalence of obesity in the study population was 20.4% (n = 82). The mean BMI for the male and female subjects were 24.5Kg/m²± 9.4 and 26.2kg/m²± 3.49 respectively. The relationship between sex and BMI was not statistically significant(r = -0.95 x² =12.000, df = 3, P = 0.074) ,

Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of obesity in the study population. Every contact with obese patients should serve as an opportunity to advocate for life style modification with emphases on regular exercise and healthy dieting.