Implications of Demographic and Modifiable Risk Factors of Obesity in Municipal Adults of Enugu

Abstract

Understanding the determinants of obesity in young adults is not only vital to its association with other chronic diseases but also for proper diagnosis and prognosis in clinical processes. This cross-sectional study assessed the demographic and modifiable risk factors that contribute to obesity amongst young adults of Enugu Metropolis. Four hundred and Nineteen (419) young adults (195 males and 224 females) were randomly selected. Demographic characteristics (age, gender and marital status) and modifiable risk factors (tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and dietary intake) were obtained. Weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were also measured and levels of Physical activity were assessed. Using descriptive and statistical measures of correlation (Pearson’s correlation), result shows that age and marital status are positively correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI) with gender having no correlation with BMI and WC. Outcome of modifiable risk factors revealed that dietary intake (p < 0. 001; r = 0.343), alcohol consumption (p < 0.001; r = 0.320) and tobacco use (p < 0.001; r = 0.196) had a positive, significant correlation with BMI and WC; while physical activity level had a negative, significant correlation. Therefore, chances of being obese increases with poor dietary intake, abnormal alcohol consumption, tobacco use and low Physical activity level.