Magnitude and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in in semi-rural area of Babati District, Tanzania

 Background: Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in recent years. We assessed the burden and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in a semi-rural district of Babati in Tanzania.Methods: A school-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescents attending secondary schools. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures. A Food Frequency Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were adapted to assess dietary and physical activity patterns, respectively.Results: A total of 619 students were included in the analysis. The mean age and body mass index of the respondents were 16.7±1.68 years and 19.9±3.16 kg/m², respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.2% with more girls being overweight and obese than boys (P<0.0001). In the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models, girls (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.97, 15.72]); unhealthy diet (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.32, 3.63); vigorous physical activity (OR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.34, 3.56) and physical inactivity (OR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.08, 2.79) were independent predictors of overweight or obesity.Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was modest. Female sex, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were significantly predictive. There is a need for interventions in obesity to have a broader target audience to include adolescents and residents of rural areas. Primary preventive interventions are needed.

Identifying the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity in middle-aged men and women: a cross-sectional population-based study in four African countries

Objectives To determine the prevalence of multimorbidity, to identify which chronic conditions cluster together and to identify factors associated with a greater risk for multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Design Cross-sectional, multicentre, population-based study.Setting Six urban and rural communities in four sub-Saharan African countries.Participants Men (n=4808) and women (n=5892) between the ages of 40 and 60 years from the AWI-Gen study.Measures Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, and multimorbidity as defined by the presence of two or more of the following conditions: HIV infection, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension.Results Multimorbidity prevalence was higher in women compared with men (47.2% vs 35%), and higher in South African men and women compared with their East and West African counterparts. The most common disease combination at all sites was dyslipidaemia and hypertension, with this combination being more prevalent in South African women than any single disease (25% vs 21.6%). Age and body mass index were associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity in men and women; however, lifestyle correlates such as smoking and physical activity were different between the sexes.Conclusions The high prevalence of multimorbidity in middle-aged adults in SSA is of concern, with women currently at higher risk. This prevalence is expected to increase in men, as well as in the East and West African region with the ongoing epidemiological transition. Identifying common disease clusters and correlates of multimorbidity is critical to providing effective interventions