Pages: 1-6

Abstract

Objectives: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving randomly selected 716 adults was conducted. Standard anthropometric measurements were taken, and fasting glucose concentration was determined. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.9% and 13.1%, respectively. Overweight and obesity affected females more than males. Overweight was 36.7% in females, and 25.0% in males, while female obesity was 16.0% and 11.0% in males (P<0.05). Overweight and obesity were the highest among the age group of 40-49. A greater proportion of married participants were overweight (56.3%) and obese (36.1%) compared to their single counterparts (23.2%) and (14.6%); respectively (P<0.05). Traders (56.2%) and civil servants (50.2%) had a higher prevalence of overweight, but obesity was seen mostly in civil servants (30.2%). Overweight males were more diabetic (20.2%), while obese females were more frequently diabetic (18.8%). Conclusion: Overweight and obesity have been found to be common in Enugu metropolis. Increased physical activities at home and in work places in addition to the nutritional education would reduce this burden.