Original Article

Prevalence of Overweight/ Obesity and Some Associated Factors among Rural/ Urbanites of Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at estimating the classified prevalence of overweight and obesity status and determine potential influencing factor of age and gender among rural/ urbanites attending Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study survey was conducted in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya, from the month of March to June, 2018. A total of 139 male and 201 female aged 13 to 96 years from general rural/urban population were included using a simple random sampling design. Data was also collected on socio-demographics using a general questionnaire and physical examination for anthropometric measurements. The sampled data was used to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and analyze influencing factor of age and gender through corresponding statistical method done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Software version 22.0 and MS Excel version 2010. Rural/urban setting was considered too. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: The overall prevalence of overweight was 31.0% of which female were 63.2% and male 36.8%; whereas, the overall prevalence of obesity was 25% of which female 74%; male 24%) among the population sampled. The prevalence of both overweight and obesity were higher in female compared to male. There was no significant difference between rural and urbanites.
Conclusion: The factors of age and gender were significantly associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity as classified by body mass index. Therefore, further research studies required to explore other indicators, best pointers to understanding of changes in overweight and obesity over time.

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IssueVol 4, No 4 (Autumn 2018) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
Keywords
Overweight Obesity Body mass index Prevalence
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How to Cite
1.
Sigei E, Okinyi V, Kariuki P, Kariuki L, Kimani J. Prevalence of Overweight/ Obesity and Some Associated Factors among Rural/ Urbanites of Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Nutr Sci & Diet. 2018;4(4):109-116.