Prevalence of obesity and associated sex-specific factors in an African-origin population.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of obesity and related sex-specific factors in a population of African descent.


METHODS
Population-based cohort study.


METHODS
A simple random sample of 4,314 Barbados-born citizens of African origin, > or =40 years of age.


METHODS
Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) > or =30.


RESULTS
A significant sex differential for obesity exists in this population, with 11.5% of men and 33.2% of women found to have a BMI > or =30. Factors such as hypertension, elevated glycosylated hemoglobin and nonprofessional education were positively associated with obesity in both men and women, whereas an inverse relationship was found between obesity, current smoking, and older age. Among males, current drinkers were more likely to be obese (OR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.04, 1.951), whereas the reverse pattern was observed in the females (OR = 0.59, [0.36, 0.981). Other factors associated with obesity, specifically related to women, included lower socioeconomic status and increased parity.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of obesity is high among Westernized women of African origin and cultural influences are thought to substantially contribute to this problem. Identifying sex-specific factors and providing culturally sensitive and tailored outreach services to those at highest risk may help to reduce the burden that obesity and its related comorbidities have placed on public healthcare systems worldwide.
Nemesure
Barbara
B
Department of Preventive Medicine, L3HSC Room 086, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8036, USA. bnemesure@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Wu
Suh-Yuh
SY
Hennis
Anselm
A
Leske
M Cristina
MC
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001460:Barbados / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class