Screening for Obesity during the World Health Day in Ogboloma, a Small Rural Settlement in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Aims: To determine the prevalence and correlates of generalized and central obesity in a small rural Ijaw community in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This is essential in the primary prevention of diseases associated with obesity.

Study Design: Place and Duration of Study: The study was cross-sectional in design. Participants were recruited through a consecutive sampling of all eligible participants who presented for a screening exercise during the world health day in April 2012. The study site was Ogboloma, a small rural population in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Socio-demographic data, clinical history, anthropometry and blood pressures were taken. Confidentiality was maintained. Data were stored and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.

Results: Generalized obesity was found in 12.2% of participants while 23.7% were overweight. A total of 47(35.9%) individuals either had generalized obesity or were overweight. Central obesity was more prevalent among females across the three different criteria. Waist hip ratio identified more participants as obese (69.5%) compared with waist circumference (51.1%) and waist height ratio (57.3). The predictors of generalized obesity were age and education while central obesity was predicted mainly by gender.

Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in this rural community was high and compares with recent trends. There is a need for regular screening of communities for obesity so that affected individuals can be managed properly to minimize the risk of attendant complications.