Prevalence and Risk Factors of Obesity among Workers in the Oil and Gas Industry of the Niger Delta Region

Abstract

Background. Obesity prevalence among oil and gas industry workers over the past decade globally has been on the increase, adversely affecting workers' well-being and productivity. Therefore necessitates the increased need for both occupational, and public health policymakers to take action. Data on obesity prevalence rates among workers in the oil and gas industry of the Niger-Delta region needed to drive public and occupational health policies regarding obesity is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its risk factors among oil and gas industry workers in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Methodology. A cross-sectional study of 280 oil and gas industry workers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria aged 29 -to 61 years, from November - to - December 2017 was done. A structured survey data of Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements and socio-demographics was collected. Statistical analysis with Chi-Square and Multinomial Logistic Regression tests was used.

Results. Results indicated that the Obesity prevalence rate among the oil and gas industry workers of the Niger Delta region was 49.6% (p=0.002). Obesity was significantly associated with a family history of cardiovascular diseases (OR=2.761, p=0.001, 95%CI=1.491-5.112).

Conclusion. The Obesity prevalence of 49.6% (p=0.002) among oil and gas industry workers in the Niger-Delta region, is statistically significantly high. Therefore, concretive preventive measures are needed to reduce obesity prevalence among workers.