Dennise TIOLA1, Justin NDIE2, Patrice Emmanuel AWONO ATEBA1, Antoine SOCPA3
1National Health Observatory; 2Division of the Operational Research in Health; 3University of Yaoundé I
CaHReF 2018, Yaoundé Congres hall, 08 – 11 January 2019 , OERF023
Background: Obesity is a point of focus in public health because its prevalence increases yearly in developed and developing countries.
Objectif: To assess the contributing factors of obesity among adults in Nkwen, Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out for 2 months from the 1st of December 2015 to the 31st of January 2016 in Nkwen Health Area. Inclusion criteria were adults 15 years and above who consented to be part of the study. Data collection was done with the help of a structured questionnaire administered in households. The sample size was 501 participants, selected by the non-probabilistic method for convenience among the adult population of Nkwen. The implicit variable in this study was obesity derive from of the Body Mass Index (BMI). Data analysis was done using Excel and SPSS 22 software.
Results:The mean age was 33 ±14 years, the sex-ratio was 0.59 and females (63.1%) were the majority. The mean body mass index was 26.5 ±5.7. The prevalence off overweight and obesity was respectively 27.7% and 24.2%. Participants less than 25 years old (AOR=12,07 ; IC95%[3.66 - 39.80] ; p=0.000) and those between 25 and 35 years old (AOR=3.74 ; IC95%[1.6 - 8.76 ] ; p=0.002) were 12 and 4 times respectively more likely to be obese than persons aged above 45 years. Men (AOR=4.70; IC95% [2.23 - 9.89]; p=0.000) were 5 times more likely to be obese than women.
Conclusion/Recommandation: Obesity remain a major public health problem. Multidimensional prevention strategies (sensitization, physical activity) remains the best means to prevent obesity amongst young adult and men in particular.
Key Words:obesity, contributing factors, adults, Nkwen Bamenda.