Prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in south-east Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that there is a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the developing countries. Obesity has been implicated as one of the major causes of noncommunicable chronic diseases.

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (WRA) in south eastern Nigeria (SEN).

Methods: This study was descriptive cross sectional in design. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 1200 consenting WRA (15 - 50 years) from three of five states in SEN. A pretested semistructured  interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on  demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as multiple 24-hour diet recall. Weight and height were measured and used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and chi-square.

Results: The mean age, weight and height of respondents were   28.2±5.6years, 69.11±13.9kg, and 1.6±0.1cm respectively. Majority  (96.3%) of mothers were married, traders (41.67%), 54.92% completed secondary school education. The BMI values for ranged from 13.78kg/m² to 54.00kg/m² with a mean and standard deviation of 26.81 ± 4.8Kg/m² . Less than half (39.3%) were overweight while 21.4% were obese. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the mean BMI of women in the three states. The mean BMI for urban was 27.2(5.1) kg/m² and rural 26.6 (4.7) kg/m² (p>0.05).

Conclusion: There was high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the study population and this needs urgent attention. Concerted efforts on nutrition education to improve good dietary habit should be organized.

Key words: Reproductive age, women, overweight/obesity, Nigeria