Biocultural determinants of overweight and obesity in the context of nutrition transition in Senegal: a holistic anthropological approach

Abstract

Senegal is experiencing a rising obesity epidemic, due to the nutrition transition occurring in most African countries, and driven by sedentary behaviour and high-calorie dietary intake. In addition, the anthropological local drivers of the social valorization of processed high-calorie food and large body sizes could expose the population to obesity risk. This study aimed to determine the impact of these biocultural factors on the nutritional status of Senegalese adults. A mixed methods approach was used, including qualitative and quantitative studies. Between 2011 and 2013, fourteen focus group discussions (n=84) and a cross-sectional quantitative survey (n=313 women;n=284 men) of adults in three different socio-ecological areas of Senegal (rural:n=204; suburban:n=206; urban:n=187) were conducted. Dietary intake (Dietary Diversity Scores), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), body weight norms (Body Size Scale), weight and health statuses (anthropometric measures and blood pressure) were measured. Middle-aged and older Senegalese women were found to value overweight/obesity more than younger Senegalese in all regions. In addition, young urban/suburban adults had a tendency for daily snacking whilst urban/suburban adults tended to be less physically active and had higher anthropometric means. A binary logistic regression model showed that being female, older, living in urban/suburban areas and valuing larger body size were independently associated with being overweight/obese, but not high-calorie diet. Univariate analyses showed that lower physical activity and higher socioeconomic status were associated with being overweight/obese. Finally, overweight/obesity, which is low in men, is associated with hypertension in the total sample. The nutrition transition is currently underway in Senegal’s urban/suburban areas, with older women being more affected. Since several specific biocultural factors jointly contribute to this phenomenon, the study’s findings suggest the need for local public health interventions that target women and which account for the anthropological specificities of the Senegalese population.

Relationships Between Maternal Factors and Weight Loss Attempts Among Urban Male and Female Adolescents Living in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa

“…The explanation of this finding may emanate from the association between decreasing maternal age and increasing maternal WLA, showing that younger mothers were more likely to attempt to lose weight. This tendency could be the consequence of a higher influence of modern values around thinness in this age group, as observed in other African populations [39]. In this context, younger mothers could exacerbate their sons' WLA, if we hypothesize that sons at adult age may be more aware of risks of obesity, even more so as they see their BMI increase with their age, as observed in a recent study [40].…”

Variation in dietary intake and body fatness by socioeconomic status among women in the context of Costa Rican nutrition transitions

“…Here, intake of high-fat condiments, foods high in vegetable oils, dairy products, sweetened coffee/tea and pastries and desserts varied by SES. Additional examples from Latin America, Africa and Asia include variation by SES, urban versus rural residence or sex in obesity and dietary practices associated with Pattern 4 of the Nutrition Transition (Arps, 2011;Bojorquez et al, 2015;Amoateng et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2017;Cohen et al, 2018). This variability indicates that approaches to understanding and preventing the adverse health effects of dietary change should consider within-country variation in the pace of the Nutrition Transition.…”

Urban food environments in Africa: implications for policy and research

“…Body size norms in Africa are a potentially important factor driving eating habits, particularly for women, with a preference for overweight observed in some African countries, associated with social status and economic success. One mixed methods study that encompassed urban Senegal (Dakar) conducted qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey of adults, and reported that overweight was socially valued and seen as a symbol of wealth and integration into the city for those that had migrated from rural Senegal ( 33 ) .…”