Rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in older Ghanaian adults from 2007-2015: Evidence from WHO-SAGE Waves 1 & 2
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Date
2019-08-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Plos One
Abstract
Background
Studies on changes in the prevalence and determinants of obesity in older adults living in
sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. We examined recent changes in obesity prevalence and
associated factors for older adults in Ghana between 2007/08 and 2014/15.
Methods
Data on adults aged 50 years and older in Ghana were drawn from the WHO SAGE 2007/
08 (Wave 1; n = 4158) and 2014/15 (Wave 2; n = 1663). The weighted prevalence of obesity,
overweight, normal weight and underweight, and of high central adiposity were compared
in 2007/08 and 2014/15. Multinomial and binomial logistic regressions were used to
examine whether the determinants of weight status based on objectively measured body
mass index and waist circumference changed between the two time periods.
Results
The prevalence of overweight (2007/08 = 19.6%, 95% CI: 18.0–21.4%; 2014/15 = 24.5%,
95% CI: 21.7–27.5%) and obesity (2007/08 = 10.2%, 95% CI: 8.9–11.7%; 2014/15 = 15.0%,
95% CI: 12.6–17.7%) was higher in 2014/15 than 2007/08 and more than half of the population
had high central adiposity (2007/08 = 57.7%, 95% CI: 55.4–60.1%; 2014/15 = 66.9%,
95% CI: 63.7–70.0%) in both study periods. While the prevalence of overweight increased
in both sexes, obesity prevalence was 16% lower in males and 55% higher in females comparing 2007/08 to 2014/15. Female sex, urban residence, and high household wealth
were associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity and high central adiposity. Those
aged 70+ years had lower odds of obesity in both study waves. In 2014/15, females who did
not meet the recommended physical activity were more likely to be obese.
Conclusion
Over the 7-year period between the surveys, the prevalence of underweight decreased and
overweight increased in both sexes, while obesity decreased in males but increased in
females. The difference in obesity prevalence may point to differential impacts of past initiatives
to reduce overweight and obesity, potential high-risk groups in Ghana, and the need to
increase surveillance
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Sub-Saharan Africa, obesity, Ghanaian adults, World Health Organization (WHO)
Citation
Lartey ST, Magnussen CG, Si L, Boateng GO, de Graaff B, Biritwum RB, et al. (2019) Rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in older Ghanaian adults from 2007-2015: Evidence from WHO-SAGE Waves 1 & 2. PLoS ONE 14(8): e0215045. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0215045