Obesity and regional fat distribution in Kenyan populations: Impact of ethnicity and urbanization

Christensen, Dirk L.; Eis, Jeannette; Hansen, Andreas Wolff; Larsson, Meilanie W.; Mwaniki, Dennis; Kilonzo, Beatrice; Tetens, Inge; Boit, Michael K.; Kaduka, Lydia; Borch‐Johnsen, Knut; Friis, Henrik

doi:10.1080/03014460801949870

Cited by 100 publications

(127 citation statements)

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“…While the presence of overweight and obesity among Kenyan adults has been noted, very little has been reported on childhood overweight in the country (34,35) . The current analysis documents the presence of overweight and obesity among Kenyan children and explains 12?81 % of the variance in overweight among Kenyan preschool children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood overweight and obesity among Kenyan pre-school children: association with maternal and early child nutritional factors

Gewa

2009

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To report on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Kenya and examine the associations between childhood overweight and selected maternal and child-related factors. Design: Demographic Health Survey data, multistage stratified cluster sampling methodology. Setting: Rural and urban areas of Kenya. Subjects: A total of 1495 children between the ages of 3 and 5 years in Kenya. Results: Over 30 % of the children were stunted, approximately 16 % were underweight, 4 % were wasted, approximately 18 % were overweight and 4 % were obese; 8 % were both overweight/obese and stunted. Maternal overweight and obesity, higher levels of maternal education, being a large or very large child at birth, and being stunted were each associated with higher odds of overweight and obesity among Kenyan children. Older children and large household size were each associated with lower odds of overweight and obesity among Kenyan children. Conclusions: The analysis demonstrates the presence of under-and overnutrition among Kenyan pre-school children and the importance of focusing on expanding efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition within this population. It also identifies some of the modifiable factors that can be targeted in these efforts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood overweight and obesity among Kenyan pre-school children: association with maternal and early child nutritional factors

Gewa

2009

Public Health Nutr.

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“…If the study participant did not know his age, the local social mobiliser estimated his age according to personal events such as circumcision and age-set membership. For more details about selection procedures see Christensen et al (4) . All participants gave informed consent in writing (orally in case of illiteracy).…”

Section: Selection Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of several indicators of food insecurity among adults is underweight (BMI , 18?5 kg/m 2 ). Recently, we showed a high prevalence of both underweight (17 % and 23 % in women and men) and overweight (BMI $ 25?0 kg/m 2 ; 26 % and 12 % in women and men, respectively) among rural Kenyans in a population group comprising Luo, Kamba and Maasai (4) . This clearly indicates that Kenya has to battle the double burden of malnutrition.…”

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confidence: 99%

Dietary patterns, food and macronutrient intakes among adults in three ethnic groups in rural Kenya

Hansen

Christensen

Larsson

et al. 2011

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To compare dietary patterns and food and macronutrient intakes among adults in three ethnic groups in rural Kenya. Design: In the present cross-sectional study, dietary intake was estimated in adult volunteers using two non-consecutive interactive 24 h recalls. Dietary patterns were assessed from the number of meals and snacks per day and from the food items and major food groups registered, and their contribution to energy intake (EI) was calculated. Anthropometric values were measured and sociodemographic data obtained using a questionnaire. Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bondo, Kitui and Transmara districts of rural Kenya. A high prevalence of food insecurity in Kenya underlines the importance of describing the dietary patterns and intakes in different Kenyan ethnic groups. Subjects: A total of 1163 (61 % women) adult Luo, Kamba and Maasai, with a mean age of 38?6 (range: 18-68) years, volunteered to participate. Results: Dietary patterns and food groups contributing to EI differed significantly among the ethnic groups. Mean EI ranged from 5?8 to 8?6 MJ/d among women and from 7?2 to 10?5 MJ/d among men, with carbohydrates contributing between 55?7 % and 74?2 % and fat contributing between 14?5 % and 30?2 % of total EI. Mean protein intake ranged from 0?72 to 1?3 g/kg per d, and EI:BMR ratio ranged between 1?1 and 1?6 in both sexes, and was highest among the Luo. Prevalence of underweight (BMI , 18?5 kg/m 2 ) was 13?7 %, 20?5 % and 24?2 % in the Luo, Kamba and Maasai, respectively. Conclusions: The degree of food insecurity measured as a degree of undernutrition and as dietary patterns differed considerably among the ethnic groups. The Maasai and Kamba in particular were exposed to food insecurity. Keywords Nutrition Population study Traditional food Rural populations KenyaKenya is one of several African countries facing food emergencies (1) . According to the FAO country profile on food security indicators, data from Kenya show that the proportion of food insecurity (determined as undernourishment with an average daily energy intake (EI) ,7?33 MJ/person) was 30 % during the period 2004-2006 (2) . Food insecurity exists when people lack secure access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life (3) . In the absence of direct measures of food insecurity, the nutritional status of individuals is often used as outcome measures to reflect the end result of all factors affecting the nutritional status, including food security. One of several indicators of food insecurity among adults is underweight (BMI , 18?5 kg/m 2 ). Recently, we showed a high prevalence of both underweight (17 % and 23 % in women and men) and overweight (BMI $ 25?0 kg/m 2 ; 26 % and 12 % in women and men, respectively) among rural Kenyans in a population group comprising Luo, Kamba and Maasai (4) . This clearly *Corresponding author: Email awh@niph.dk r The Authors 2011

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“…In a cross-sectional study among the Luo, Maasai and Kamba, in rural and urban Kenya, among 1430 individuals (58.3% females), aged 17-68 years, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat, arm fat area (AFA), and waist circumference increased with age and were highest among the Maasai and in urban populations [17]. AFA increased only with increasing age among males.…”

Section: Regional Levels Of Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A literature review of role of obesity in adult health with reference to Africa

Lokuruka¹

2013

AJFAND

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Although obesity is a global epidemic that affects every socio-economic class, little is available in the literature on the status of the syndrome in Africa. This literature review was therefore written in order to highlight the causes, effects and potential mitigation measures of the syndrome with particular interest on the status of the condition in Africa. Obesity results from an incorrect energy balance leading to an increased store of energy, mainly as fat. The major factors that contribute to obesity include over-nutrition, physical inactivity, change of dietary habits, modernization, consumption of high fat, high carbohydrate foods, urbanization and in a minority of patients a physical condition or metabolic disturbance. Body mass index (BMI) is currently being used by competent authorities as an index of obesity. BMI differentiates classes of obesity, with class I, II and III being identified with BMI of ≥30 but <35, ≥35 but <40, and ≥40, respectively. A BMI of 18.5-25 is regarded as normal. However, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate obesity due to excess fat deposition and that due to muscle atrophy. Also, current procedures for estimating body fat percentage are not as accurate as they should and often give different results. Despite women tending to be more obese than men, they are less prone to hypertension, heart disease and type 2 diabetes than men before they reach menopause due to their fat deposition being predominantly sub-cutaneous rather than abdominal. In 2010, the WHO estimated that about 1.4 billion adults were overweight and obese, but 300-400 million were obese. The defining metabolic changes in obesity are decreased glucose tolerance, decreased sensitivity to insulin, hyperinsulinemia and reduced life expectancy. Obesity can be treated by restricting food intake and engaging in regular physical exercises. Other measures include the use of anorectic drugs and various forms of jejunoileostomy. Obesity is a controllable behavioural disorder, with regular exercise and sensible eating being the best ways to regulate body fat percentage and maintain a healthy body weight. As it is difficult to treat obesity, efforts should be directed towards prevention in order to keep it in check.

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Obesity and regional fat distribution in Kenyan populations: Impact of ethnicity and urbanization

Abstract: Abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness was higher with urban residency. A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found. The Maasai had the highest overall fat accumulation.

Cited by 100 publications

References 32 publications

Childhood overweight and obesity among Kenyan pre-school children: association with maternal and early child nutritional factors

Childhood overweight and obesity among Kenyan pre-school children: association with maternal and early child nutritional factors

Dietary patterns, food and macronutrient intakes among adults in three ethnic groups in rural Kenya

A literature review of role of obesity in adult health with reference to Africa

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