Sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors for obesity among community-dwelling older adults in Ghana and Nigeria: A secondary analysis of data from the SIREN study

Abstract

Objectives To explore the prevalence and risk factors of obesity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This is a secondary analysis of data obtained from the SIREN study through in-person interviews and measurements from healthy stroke-free older adults (≥60 years). Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of >0.90 for males and >0.85/females or waist circumference (WC) of >102 cm for males/>88 cm for females. Adjusted odds ratio (aORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) of the relationship between obesity and sociodemographic factors were assessed at P  < 0.05. Results Overall, 47.5% of participants were overweight/obese, 76.6% had a larger than recommended WHR, and 54.4% had a larger than recommended WC. Abdominal obesity (WC; aOR: 9.43, CI: 6.99–12.50), being a Nigerian (aOR: 0.55; CI: 0.42–0.72), living in an urban setting (aOR: 1.92; CI: 1.49–2.46 ), earning >$100/month (aOR: 1.53; CI: 1.19–1.96), and having formal education (aOR: 1.42; CI: 1.08–1.87) were associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusion Living in urban settings, earning a higher income, and having a formal education were associated with a higher odds of obesity among older adults from LMICs.