Overweight and obesity among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Nigeria: findings from the 2008–2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey

S.O. Tagbo; D. Abebe; Victor Oguoma

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.036

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Overweight and obesity among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Nigeria: findings from the 2008–2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Overweight and obesity among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Nigeria: findings from the 2008–2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey

S.O. Tagbo, D. Abebe and Victor Oguoma

Public Health, Vol.198, pp.348-357

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.036

PMID: 34530237

Abstract

Nigeria

Non-pregnant women

Obesity

Overweight

Objectives Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and pregnancy-related problems. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and change in prevalence of overweight and obesity among non-pregnant women of reproductive age and relationship with individual- and community-level factors over a decade. Study design This was a cross-sectional survey with two-stage probability sampling design. Methods Data sets were pooled from the 2008, 2013 and 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey – a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of the entire Nigerian population aged 15–49 years. Body mass index (BMI) was used to classify overweight and obesity. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess associations between overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obesity (≥30.0 kg/m2) and individual and community factors. Results There were 76,729 non-pregnant women (38.0% in 2008, 44.5% in 2013 vs 17.5% in 2018) with a mean age of 29.0 years and a BMI of 23.0 kg/m2 across the three survey periods. Overweight and obesity prevalence were 16.0% and 6.2% in 2008, 17.2% and 7.5% in 2013 and 18.1% and 9.9% in 2018, respectively. There was 76% (95% confidence interval: 44% to twofold) increased odds of obesity in 2018 compared with 2008 in adjusted analysis. Older women with at least primary education living in urban areas, ever married and from wealthier households are at a greater odd of being overweight and obese. Conclusion Over a decade, overweight and obesity prevalence increased among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for public health strategies and interventions to improve on deficient knowledge and low awareness about healthy foods and physical activity at individual and community levels especially in urban areas.

Details

Title: Overweight and obesity among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Nigeria: findings from the 2008–2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: S.O. Tagbo - OUM-AU
D. Abebe - OUM-AU
Victor Oguoma (Corresponding Author) - University of Canberra
Publication details: Public Health, Vol.198, pp.348-357
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.036
ISSN: 1476-5616
PMID: 34530237
Data Availability: The data analysed in this study are publicly available and accessible by application to Measure DHS, ICF International, Rockville, Maryland, USA, at https://dhsprogram.com/
Organisation Unit: Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991120251702621
Output Type: Journal article