Poster Presentation Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting

Body Mass Index–measured adiposity and population attributability of associated factors in Cameroon: a population-based study in sub-Saharan Africa (#201)

Leopold N. AMINDE 1 , Jeannine A. ATEM 2 , Andre P. KENGNE 3 , Anastase DZUDIE 4 , Lennert VEERMAN 1
  1. School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QUEENSLAND, Australia
  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
  3. Non-cmommunicable diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
  4. Department of Medicine, Douala General Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: Obesity is currently a global health challenge driven by a mix of behavioural, environmental and genetic factors. Recent population-based estimates are needed to guide successful prevention and control efforts in African countries. We investigated the prevalence and population attributable fractions of overweight and obesity in Buea, the Southwest region of Cameroon. 

Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study involving randomly selected adults. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized according to the WHO classification. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to investigate independent factors associated with obesity. Their population attributable fractions were similarly estimated.

Results: Of the 1,139 participants, prevalence of overweight and obesity were; 34.8 (32.0 – 37.6) and 10.1 (8.3 – 11.9) percent respectively. The mean BMI was 25.3±4.3 kg/m2 and women were heavier (25.8 vs. 24.4 kg/m2; p <0.0001). Factors associated with obesity were; female gender [odd ratio 3.26 (95%CI: 1.91 – 5.59)], older age [3.14 (1.86 – 5.28)], marriage [2.12 (1.56 – 3.61)] and family history of cardiovascular disease [1.61 (1.04 – 2.48)]. At the population level; older age, marriage, low level of education, high monthly income and physical inactivity accounted respectively for 11.9%, 21.8%, 11.6%, 6.4% and 8.7% of overweight and obesity among the women, while older age and marriage explained 9.2% and 28.3% respectively, of overweight and obesity in men.

Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among semi-urban Cameroonians. Community-based interventions to control these would need to take into account gender specificities and socio-economic status.