Obesity and associated factors in young adults attending tertiary institutions in south-eastern Nigeria

  • Patricia Ogechi Ukegbu Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Ada Charity Uwaegbute Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Chinyere Akudo Echendu Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Chukwunonso Charles Ejike Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Julie Uche Anyika-Elekeh Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Victoria Uzoamaka Asumugha Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Solomon Abasiekong Kuyik Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Shola Omodamiro Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Blessing Nwofia Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Chinwe Uzokwe Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Chidinma Oluchi Nliam Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Nnenna Uwakwe Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
Keywords: Association, obesity, overweight, socio-demographic factors, young adults

Abstract

Objective: To assess prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated factors in a group of university undergraduates in south-east Nigeria. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Five tertiary institutions in south-east Nigeria. Methods: A total of 1610 undergraduates were selected using multistage sampling. A validated questionnaire on sociodemographic, dietary and lifestyle factors was used. Variables studied included body mass index (BMI), waist:hip ratio (WHR) and blood pressure (BP). Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were used for data analyses. Results: Prevalence of obesity and overweight were 6.5% [4.2% males; 8.4% females (p < 0.05)] and 13.4% [8.4% males; 17.7% females (p < 0.05)], respectively. A higher prevalence of central obesity and abdominal obesity was found in the females (15.7% and 27.2%, respectively) compared to the males (1.1% and 2.4%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Consumption of unhealthy snack foods (X2 = 13.39), being a female (X2 = 47.91), first year student (X2 = 41.82), and having high systolic (X2 = 88.18) and diastolic (X2 = 10.17) BP were associated with obesity (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Prevalence of obesity was high in the studied population and, if left unchecked, portends deleterious consequences, especially with respect to the development of cardiovascular diseases. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojcn) South Afr J Clin Nutr 2017; DOI: 10.1080/16070658.2016.1259032

Author Biographies

Patricia Ogechi Ukegbu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc (Applied Human Nutrition), PhD Experimental Nutrition Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Ada Charity Uwaegbute, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc, PhD Clinical and Applied Nutrition Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Chinyere Akudo Echendu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc, PhD Experimental Nutrition Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Chukwunonso Charles Ejike, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc, PhD Clinical Nutrition and Biochemistry Department of Biochemistry Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State; and Department of Medical Biochemistry Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo Nigeria
Julie Uche Anyika-Elekeh, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc, PhD Clinical and Applied Nutrition Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Victoria Uzoamaka Asumugha, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSC, PhD Experimental Nutrition Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Solomon Abasiekong Kuyik, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc, PhD Food Science and Technology Department of Food Science and Technology Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Shola Omodamiro, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSc, PhD Biochemistry Department of Biochemistry Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Blessing Nwofia, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Chinwe Uzokwe, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
MSC Public Health Nutrition Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Chidinma Oluchi Nliam, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Nnenna Uwakwe, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State
Published
2017-06-22
How to Cite
Ukegbu, P., Uwaegbute, A., Echendu, C., Ejike, C., Anyika-Elekeh, J., Asumugha, V., Kuyik, S., Omodamiro, S., Nwofia, B., Uzokwe, C., Nliam, C., & Uwakwe, N. (2017). Obesity and associated factors in young adults attending tertiary institutions in south-eastern Nigeria. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 30(2), 29-34. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1113
Section
Original Research