Prevalence of obesity and associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in Morocco.
OBJECTIVE
In Morocco, the association between obesity/overweight and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors is poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate this association in a representative sample of the Moroccan population aged 18 years and above.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including demographic, socio-economic and physical activity items. Height and weight were measured and BMI was computed. The association between obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) or overweight (25.0 ≤ BMI < 29.9 kg/m2) and the other variables was analysed using multiple binomial logistic regression, separately in men and women.


METHODS
The whole Moroccan territory.


METHODS
A total of 2891 subjects took part in the survey (1430 men and 1461 women).


RESULTS
The prevalence of obesity was 20.9 % in women and 6.0 % in men (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of overweight was 32.9 % in women v. 26.8 % in men (P < 0.0001). In women, the risk of obesity and overweight increased with age, with the highest risk being in individuals aged 45-54 years (OR = 3.02, 95 % CI 2.06, 4.44) compared to individuals <35 years old. Married women were more prone to obesity and overweight (OR = 2.42, 95 % CI 1.50, 3.91) than single women. In men, the risk of obesity and overweight increased with average family income (OR = 2.62, 95 % CI 1.40, 4.87 for family income ≥5000 MAD/month compared to <2000 MAD/month) and in married persons (OR = 3.75, 95 % CI 1.78, 7.81) compared to single individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
These results contribute to target groups in whom prevention programmes could be implemented.
El Rhazi
K
K
Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie, Recherche Clinique et Santé Communautaire, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Fès, Maroc. elrhazikarima@gmail.com
Nejjari
C
C
Zidouh
A
A
Bakkali
R
R
Berraho
M
M
Barberger Gateau
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors