Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study

Ahmed, Soheir H.; Meyer, Haakon E; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Madar, Ahmed A.

doi:10.1155/2018/4539171

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The high proportion of overweight and obesity among women compared to men has been reported previously [13], and is consistent with other findings [31]. The high prevalence of overweight and physical inactivity in women are likely interrelated [32, 33], as physical inactivity is a risk factor for obesity and other chronic diseases [34].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Data about NCDs and their risk factors in this region are scarce. We have previously reported that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly higher among Somalis in Oslo, Norway compared to Hargeisa, Somaliland [13], and according to the Ministry of Health of Somaliland, unhealthy lifestyle, including physical inactivity, smoking and chewing khat, has led to an increase in NCDs [14]. Urbanization has been identified as a root cause of the increasing prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The prevalence of selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Hargeisa, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2019

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Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory conditions and cancers, are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Information on the prevalence estimates of NCD risk factors such as smoking, low fruit & vegetable intake, physical inactivity, raised blood pressure, overweight, obesity and abnormal blood lipid are scarce in Somaliland. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these selected risk factors for NCDs among 20–69 year old women and men in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Hargeisa (Somaliland), using the STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) to collect data on demographic and behavioral characteristics and physical measurements ( n = 1100). The STEPS approach is a standardized method for collecting, analysing and disseminating data on NCD risk factor burden. Fasting blood sugar, serum lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides) were collected in half of the participants. Results The vast majority of participants had ≤1 serving of fruits daily (97.7%) and ≤ 1 serving of vegetables daily (98.2%). The proportion of participants with low physical activity levels was 78.4%. The overall prevalence of high salt intake was 18.5%. The prevalence of smoking and khat chewing among men was 27 and 37% respectively, and negligible among women. In women, the prevalence of hypertension increased from 15% in the age group 20–34 years to 67% in the age group 50–69 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ) from 51 to 73%, and the prevalence of diabetes from 3 to 22%. Similar age-trends were seen in men. Conclusion Most of the selected risk factors for noncommunicable diseases were high and increased by age in both women and men. Overweight and obesity and low physical activity needs intervention in women, while hypertension and low fruit and vegetable consumption needs intervention in both men and women. Somaliland health authorities should develop and/or strengthen health services that can help in treating persons with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, and prevent a future burden of NCDs resulting from a high prevalence of NCD risk factors.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Hargeisa, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2019

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“…As previously reported, a large proportion of men and women are overweight and obese (61% and 78% respectively) (Ahmed. et al 2018), and the obesity rate is substantially higher among women than men (p < 0.001).…”

Section: Anthropometric Measurementssupporting

confidence: 54%

“…Somalis in Norway stand out as experiencing the most disadvantaged position by any socioeconomic standards, such as poor living conditions and unemployment, and they face a number of challenges, such as language barriers (Vrålstad and Wiggen 2017;Markussen 2018). We have recently reported that persons with Somali immigrant background in Oslo have low physical activity and high prevalence of overweight, obesity, and high waist circumference (Ahmed et al 2018;Ahmed et al 2019). These conditions can to lead to decreased health status.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reported health and associated factors among the immigrant populations in Norway

Madar

Strand

Meyer

2020

J Public Health (Berl.)

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Aim The immigrant population continues to increase in Norway, and Somali immigrants and their descendants are presently the largest non-Western group. We have limited knowledge about the health status in this population. The aim of this study was to assess self-perceived health status among Somalis in Norway. Method We used data from a study assessing risk factors for lifestyle diseases among Somali immigrants in Oslo, which was conducted between December 2015 and October 2016, among men and women aged 20-73 who were living in the Sagene borough in Oslo. Results The study population included 221 participants (112 females and 110 males). Overall, 78% of the participants (70% of females and 86% males) rated their health status as good or very good. Women had poorer self-reported health (p = 0.003) than men. Being unemployed and having diabetes, stress, and sleeping problems were associated with poor self-reported health, but time lived in Norway, education level, Norwegian language proficiency, and high BMI were not significantly associated. Around 2/3 of the participants reported being physically inactive, while around half reported walking or moving more than 30 min per day. Self-reported chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension were 5% and 9% respectively. Conclusion This study has shown the different patterns of self-reported health status among Somali immigrants in Norway, as associated with gender, age, psychosocial conditions, and employment status. Further research is needed to explain why Somali women in Norway have poorer self-reported health than men. The findings from this study should provide direction to healthcare providers for improving health among immigrants, for example through implementing a community-driven and culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention program.

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“…Somali immigrants and refugees in the US and other Western countries have disproportionately higher rates of obesity and related cardiovascular disease risks, such as diabetes mellitus [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The higher rates have been postulated to result from the adoption of lifestyles that include low levels of physical activity and a diet rich in refined carbohydrates and fat [10,13,14]. In turn, these lifestyle and behavioral factors that promote the development of obesity are enabled by multiple, complex, and interconnected social and environmental factors [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social networks and obesity among Somali immigrants and refugees

et al. 2020

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Background: Somali immigrants and refugees to the United States are at high risk for obesity and related cardiovascular risk. Social network factors influence health behaviors and are important contributors to the obesity epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe social networks and obesity-related characteristics among adult Somali immigrants in a Minnesota city in order to inform a community-based, participatory, research-derived, social network intervention to decrease obesity rates. Methods: Survey data (demographics, general health measures, and sociobehavioral and network measures) and height and weight measures (for calculating body mass index) were collected from adult Somali immigrants by bilingual study team members at community locations. Descriptive statistics were used to report the survey and biometric data. Logistic regression models were used to describe the basic associations of participants and network factors. Network data were analyzed to identify nodes and ties, to visualize the network, and to identify potential interventionists for a future social network intervention. Results: Of the 646 participants, 50% were overweight or affected by obesity. The network had 1703 nodes with 3583 ties between nodes, and modularity was high (0.75). Compared with respondents of normal weight, participants who were overweight or affected by obesity had more network members who were also overweight or obese (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% CI, 1.11-7.56; P = .03); this was most notable for men (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.22-17.22; P = .02) and suggestive for those 50 years or older (OR, 24.23; 95% CI, 1.55-377.83; P = .03). Weight loss intention among participants who were overweight or affected by obesity was associated with number of family members and friends trying to lose weight, enabling functional network factors (social norms for weight loss, social support for healthy eating, and social cohesion), and less favorable obesogenic social norms. Conclusions: In this community sample of Somali immigrants, distinct social networks are clustered by weight status, and social contacts and functional network characteristics are related to individuals' weight loss intentions. These factors should be considered in weight loss interventions and programs. A social network intervention targeting weight loss, within a community-based participatory research framework, is feasible in this vulnerable population.

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Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study

Cited by 21 publications

References 25 publications

The prevalence of selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Hargeisa, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study

The prevalence of selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Hargeisa, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study

Self-reported health and associated factors among the immigrant populations in Norway

Social networks and obesity among Somali immigrants and refugees

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