Overnutrition and associated factors among adults aged 20 years and above in fishing communities in the urban Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to highlight the determinants of overnutrition (overweight plus obesity) in fishing communities and establish if these were the same as reported elsewhere in Ghana. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted in Idun, Ola and Duakor fishing communities in Cape Coast, Ghana. Subjects: Adults (n 252) aged 20 to 50 years. Results: Results showed that 32 % of participants were overweight/obese (BMI $ 25?0 kg/m 2 ). Participants' mean age was 31?7 (SD 1?0) years, they had 13?7 (SD 8?1) mean years of formal education, their median monthly income was $US 7?4 (interquartile range $US 3?3, 20?0) and their median daily energy intake was 7?3 (interquartile range 5?3, 9?8) MJ. Significant associations (P , 0?05) were found between BMI and gender, age, years of education, fat intake and marital status. Females were almost eight times more likely to be overweight/obese than males (adjusted OR 5 7?7; 95 % CI 3?6, 16?4). Persons aged $40 years were about six times more likely to be overweight/obese than those aged 20-29 years (adjusted OR 5 6?1; 95 % CI 2?6, 14?1). Married people were nearly three times more likely to be overweight/obese than singles (adjusted OR 5 2?8; 95 % Cl 1?4, 5?7). People with more than 13 years of formal education (adjusted OR 5 0?3; 95 % CI 0?1, 0?9) and people with .30 % fat contribution to daily energy intake (adjusted OR 5 0?3; 95 % CI 0?1, 0?6) had reduced odds of being overweight/obese. Conclusions: Overnutrition was prevalent in the fishing communities and associated with factors such as age, gender, marital status, educational status and fat intake.

Dietary fat quantity and quality in relation to general and abdominal obesity in women: a cross-sectional study from Ghana

“…In the present study, there was a positive association between TF and abdominal obesity. In contrast to our observation, two previous cross-sectional studies from Ghana reported inverse associations between the percentage of energy obtained from total fat and overweight/obesity [16,49]. However, Mogre et al showed a weak inverse association between the absolute quantity of dietary fat intake and both WC and BMI among University students [27].…”

“…Although genetic factors play a role in the development of obesity [12,13], the contributions of both total dietary fat [14,15] intake and fat types [12,13] have been suggested. However, the relationship between dietary fats and obesity is debatable [12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Specifically, positive [14,15] and inverse [16] associations have been reported between total fat intake and obesity.…”

“…However, the relationship between dietary fats and obesity is debatable [12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Specifically, positive [14,15] and inverse [16] associations have been reported between total fat intake and obesity.…”

Transitions to adulthood and the changing body mass index of adolescent girls in Zambia

“…This finding was expected as the lives of young women are likely to become more sedentary when they stop attending school, while eating patterns may shift with more ready access to food. We were expecting marriage to be positively associated with overweight/obesity, as was noted in other studies, but we found that marriage increases BMI only in urban areas and among older girls. In rural areas, marriage was found to increase the risk of being underweight.…”

“…Being underweight can be perceived not only as not yet being physically mature but also as not having good health, particularly in contexts where HIV prevalence is high, as is the case in Zambia. Studies reviewing the literature on marital transitions and BMI found that transitions into marriage are associated with higher BMI in the United States, other developed countries, and in Mexico, and that married adults are more likely to be overweight and obese . Finally, in Zambia, breastfeeding is nearly universal during children's first year of life and is common during their second year of life, and has been associated with lower BMI among adult women in other African settings …”