Prevalence and Predictors of Obesity among Undergraduate Students at a Private University, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Obesity, especially central obesity, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes, known for their significant morbidity and mortality. University students are at increased risk of obesity due to adoption of unhealthy lifestyles and school-related stress. However, there is scant information regarding the prevalence and risk factors of obesity among university students in Kenya. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with general and abdominal obesity among undergraduate students of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed among undergraduate students (n = 245) of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Lifestyle risk factors associated with obesity were collected using a structured questionnaire adopted from the WHO STEP-wise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance. Anthropometric measures of weight, height, and waist circumference were appropriately measured. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (ver: 22). The chi-square test of independence and binary logistic regression was used to establish an association between dependent and independent variables. Results: The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity was 19.6% and 27.8%, respectively. Risk factors of general obesity were age ≥ 20 years (OR, 9.95;95% CI, 3.09 - 32.08, p < 0.001), sedentary lifestyle (OR, 11.36;95% CI, 2.08 - 61.96, p = 0.005), staying with parents (OR, 3.22;95% CI, 1.09 - 9.58, p = 0.035), consumption of fast/processed foods (OR, 7.83;95% CI, 1.90 - 32.21, p = 0.004). Risk factors for abdominal obesity were being female (OR, 38.76;95% CI, 5.07 - 296.54, p < 0.001), staying with parents (OR, 3.02;95% CI, 1.14 - 7.99, p = 0.026) and sedentary lifestyle (OR, 6.55;95% CI, 1.80 - 23.81, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Being female, sedentary lifestyle, and consumption of fast/processed foods were found as predictors of obesity. Behavioural intervention is required to mitigate the burden of obesity among university students in Kenya. This can be achieved through promoting intervention programmes that lead to changing the built environment, counseling, and behavioral-lifestyle modification of students.

Diversity of eating patterns and obesity in older adults—A new challenge

The increase in the variety of food choices influences the eating patterns of older adults, which is in turn increases the occurrence of obesity. This study aimed at identifying eating patterns and their association with obesity in a representative sample of older adults living in an urban area and registered in the basic health unit in the city of Botucatu, S?o Paulo, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study and data collection took place from March to June of 2011 through the application of a validated food frequency questionnaire for older adults, a socio-demographic survey and an anthropometric evaluation. Eating patterns were identified through principal component analysis. Scores of individual consumption were divided in tertiles, characterizing as low, moderate or high adherence of the individuals to each pattern. Logistic regression models were fitted for the outcomes “general obesity” and “abdominal obesity” and the tertiles of consumption adjusting by sociodemographic variables. Six eating patterns were identified: Healthy foods, Snacks and weekend meals, Fruits, Light and whole foods, Mild diet and Traditional diet. It was found that the adherence to healthy foods is protective against obesity as well as adherence of snacks and weekend meals are risk of obesity. Eating patterns and their recognized influence on obesity comprise an issue that deserves continuous attention in order to evaluate collectively the eating profile, and develop specific nutritional guidelines for older adults.