Prevalence of obesity and an interrogation of the correlation between anthropometric indices and blood pressures in urban Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Adverse cardiovascular outcomes are linked to higher burden of obesity and hypertension. We conducted a secondary analysis of data for 5135 participants aged ≥ 16 years from our community-based hypertension prevalence study to determine the prevalence of obesity and association between multiple anthropometric indices and blood pressure (BP). The indices were waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), a body shape index(ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), body roundness index (BRI), visceral adiposity index (VAI) and conicity index (CI). We performed statistical analyses to determine the association, predictive ability, cutoff values and independent determinants of hypertension. Crude prevalence of obesity was 136 per 1000 (95% confidence interval 126–146). BMI had the strongest correlation with systolic and diastolic BP (rs = 0.260 and 0.264, respectively). Indices of central adiposity (AVI, WC, WHtR, BRI) were the strongest predictors of hypertension (≥ 140/90 mmHg), and their cut-off values were generally higher in females than males. WHR, age, BMI and CI were independent determinants of hypertension ≥ 140 mmHg (p < 0.05). We conclude that, based on this novel study, measures of central adiposity are the strongest predictors and independent determinants of hypertension in our population, and cut-off values vary from previously recommended standards.

Multilevel Analysis of Urban–Rural Variations of Body Weights and Individual-Level Factors among Women of Childbearing Age in Nigeria and South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Similarly, significant differences were found among women who were obese, with socio-demographic factors, such as increasing age (40–44 years; 45–49 years), higher education, employed, higher wealth index, married/widowed, regional differences (South east, South south, and South west zones), height above average, weight above average, having more than four children, contraceptive use (traditional/modern), and cigarette smoking. Several studies (cross-sectional and longitudinal) have demonstrated the influence of socio-demographic factors with studies from sub-Saharan Africa [ 1 , 2 , 67 ], and this is consistent with findings from studies conducted in Nigeria [ 9 , 13 , 22 ].…”

“…In South Africa, malnutrition has become an emergent public health problem, as the country is going through an epidemiological health transition revealing prevailing chronic malnutrition [ 12 ]. Factors such as increased adoption of more westernized diets and the rise in sedentary behavior, owing to modernization, improved transport systems, and easy convenient access to unhealthy fast foods, are associated with over-weight/obesity and its related-health problems in South Africa [ 6 , 13 ]. Studies have documented that the body mass index (BMI) cutoffs for women and men are 29.2 and 23.6 respectively, whereby 68% of women are overweight/obese while 3% are underweight, as two-thirds of women (59%) have a BMI in the standard range [ 14 ].…”

Evaluation of microalbumin, cystatin c, creatinine and uric acid levels in HIV patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi

“…Globally, there has been an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars and an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization. Overweight is a known risk factor for non communicable diseases (NCDs) and is an important issue to address in NCD prevention [46][47][48][49][50][51] especially in Nigeria where the prevalence rate of overweight individuals ranged from 20.3%-35.1%. [47][48][49] Furthermore, the mean SBP, DBP and microalbumin (µalb) levels were not significantly different when compared between the male and female HIV seronegative participants respectively, although plasma creatinine level was significantly higher in the male HIV seronegative participants than in the female HIV seronegatives.…”

“…Overweight is a known risk factor for non communicable diseases (NCDs) and is an important issue to address in NCD prevention [46][47][48][49][50][51] especially in Nigeria where the prevalence rate of overweight individuals ranged from 20.3%-35.1%. [47][48][49] Furthermore, the mean SBP, DBP and microalbumin (µalb) levels were not significantly different when compared between the male and female HIV seronegative participants respectively, although plasma creatinine level was significantly higher in the male HIV seronegative participants than in the female HIV seronegatives. it is a known factor that there is a gender based disparity in plasma creatinine level as a result of differences in muscle mass which is usually higher in men than in women.…”

Lung health in Africa: challenges and opportunities in the context of COVID-19

“…Cardiovascular disease including hypertension is one of the commonest noncommunicable diseases in the African population ( 10 ). Diabetes and obesity are increasingly emerging as important chronic illnesses in African populations ( 11 ). Each of these places individuals at increased risk for developing severe COVID-19.…”