Prevalence of obesity and overweight and its associated factors among registered pensioners in Ghana; a cross sectional studies

Abstract

BackgroundThe elderly are faced with health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems, which can be linked to obesity and overweight. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight and its associated factors amongst registered pensioners in Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among members of the national pensioners association of Ghana. 4813 pensioners took part in the study. Thirteen study centers were used in the study with at least one center per regional capital. Questionnaires, physical examinations, blood and urine sample examinations were carried out.ResultsOverall, 16.3% of the pensioners were obese while 30.0% were overweight. Prevalence of obesity among males and females were 8.0% and 34.5% respectively. Pensioners who were hypertensive had 1.8 times the odds (95% CI = 1.5–2.0) of being obese/overweight. Serum triglycerides levels of 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or more, were associated with 80% chance of obesity and overweight (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3 - 2.5). There was 30% increase in arthritis among obese/overweight pensioners compared to normal/underweight pensioners. Obesity and overweight pensioners were more likely to be using eyeglass (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3–2.2) and less likely to report hearing loss (OR = 0.7, 95% CI =0.5–1.0).ConclusionThe prevalence of obesity among the elderly in Ghana is high. Age had an inverse linear relationship with BMI among pensioners. Hypertension, arthritis and dyslipidemia were associated with obesity among registered pensioners.

Determinants of systemic hypertension in older adults in Africa: a systematic review

“…The 19 primary studies / publications covered 12 different countries with four from Ghana [22, 29, 34, 35]; three from Nigeria [24, 28, 37]; two each from Central African Republic/Congo [17, 36], South Africa [23, 32] and Uganda [33, 38]; and one each from Burkina Faso [27], Cameroon [39], Kenya [31], Senegal [30], Tanzania [40] and Tunisia [26] (Table 1). They involved a total of 30,500 participants out of whom 30,230 had their blood pressure measured.…”

“…Overall, 51.9% of the enrolled subjects across the studies were female. In individual studies, the percentage female ranged from 31.4% [34] to 83.0% [41] (Table 1). Only four studies enrolled predominantly male subjects [27, 29, 30, 34].…”

“…In individual studies, the percentage female ranged from 31.4% [34] to 83.0% [41] (Table 1). Only four studies enrolled predominantly male subjects [27, 29, 30, 34]. The proportion of enrolled subjects who were currently married ranged from 32.4% [38] to 89.4% [39] (Table 1).…”

“…In contrast, in Tunisia and Nigeria where the participants were slightly younger with a mean age of 72 years, 60–63% of them were currently married [24, 26]. The proportion of subjects with no formal education ranged from 12.1% among registered pensioners in Ghana [34] to 93.8% among elderly subjects in Nigeria [24] in 13 studies (13 data points) in which it was reported (Table 1). Except for one cohort study in Nigeria [37], all the studies were cross-sectional in design.…”

“…): rural OR 0.77 (0.61–0.97)None (ref. ): Primary, OR 1.07 (0.89–1.30); Secondary, OR 0.90 (0.60–1.35); High school completed, OR 1.15 (0.90–1.46); Tertiary or higher, OR 0.67 (0.43–1.06)13GhanaNuertey 2017 [34]Age adjustedSex adjustedRegion of residence adjustedEducation adjustedSocial class adjusted14South AfricaPeltzer 2013 [23]50–59 (ref. ): 60–69 years, OR 1.30 (0.94–1.79); ≥70 years, OR 1.19 (0.80–1.78)Males (ref.…”