Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Obesity is on the rise worldwide, not sparing developing countries.
Both demographic and socio-economic factors play parts in obesity causation. Few
surveys have been conducted in Tanzania to determine the magnitude of obesity and
its association with these risk factors. This study aimed at determining the
prevalence of obesity and its associated risk factors among adults aged 18 - 65
years in Kinondoni municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from April 2007 to April
2008.
METHODS: Random sampling of households was performed. Interviews and
anthropometric measurement were carried out to eligible and consenting members of
the selected households. Obesity was defined using Body Mass Index (BMI).
RESULTS: Out of 1249 subjects recruited, 814 (65.2%) were females. The overall
prevalence of obesity was 19.2% (240/1249). However, obesity was significantly
more prevalent in women (24.7%) than men (9%), p < 0.001, among respondents with
high socio-economic status (29.2%) as compared to those with medium (14.3%) and
low socio-economic status (11.3%), p value for trend < 0.001, and among
respondents with light intensity activities (26.0%), p value for trend < 0.001.
CONCLUSION: This study revealed a higher prevalence of obesity among Kinondoni
residents than previously reported in other parts of the country. Independent
predictors of obesity in the population studied were increasing age, marriage and
cohabitation, high SES, female sex and less vigorous physical activities.
