title: Obesity indices as predictors of pattern of self-reported arthritis among elderly women in Southwestern Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed obesity indices and pattern of arthritis among elderly women in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 350 elderly women selected by multistage sampling technique. Research instruments used in data collection were semi-structured, interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaires that were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 17.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the participants was 69.1 (±1.4) years. A total of 232 (66.3%) of them had complaints of joint pains (Awoka as expressed in the local language). Pattern of arthritis showed that 172 (74.0%) had recurrent joint pains, while 35 (15.1%) had joint swelling; the knee joint was mostly affected. A total of 97 (28.0%) were overweight while 84 (24.0%) were obese. Obese women were twice more likely to have arthritis when compared to the nonobese (odds ratio: 2.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.8-9.4, p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to give high priority to weight reduction strategies targeted at the elderly and the entire population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Wasiu O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Adebimpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olubukunola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Omobuwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akinlolu G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Omisore
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwatosin
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adeoye
keywords: Arthritis; body mass index; joint pains; obesity