Risk Factors for Overweight and Obesity Among Women of Reproductive Age in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Citation: 
Dominic Mosha  (  dfmosha@hotmail.com ) Africa Academy for Public Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Heavenlight A Paulo  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam Mary Mwanyika-Sando  Africa Academy for Public Health Innocent B Mboya  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Kilimanjaro Isabel Madzorera  Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston Germana Leyna  Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre, Dar es Salaam Sia Emmanuel Msuya  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Kilimanjaro Till Bärnighausen  Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg Japhet Killewo  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam Wafaie Fawzi  Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston
Publication year: 
2021

Background:

Overweight and obesity have increased considerably in low- and middle-income countriesover the past few decades, particularly among women of reproductive age. This study assessed the roleof physical activity and nutrient intake in overweight and obesity among women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,004 women aged 15 - 49 years in the Dar esSalaam Urban Cohort Study (DUCS) from September 2018. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) using metabolic equivalent tasks (MET). Modied poison regression models were used to evaluate associations between physical activity and nutrient intake with overweight/obesity in women, controlling for energy and other factors.

Results:

The mean (±SD) age of study women was 30.2 (±8.1) years. Prevalence of overweight andobesity was high (50.4%), and underweight was 8.6%. Risk of overweight/obesity was higher amongolder women (35 – 49 vs. 15 – 24 years: PR 1.59; 95% CI: 1.30 – 1.95); women of higher wealth status (PR 1.24; 95% CI: 1.07–1.43); and informally employed and married women. Attaining moderate to high physical activity (≥600 MET) was inversely associated with overweight/obesity (PR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.63 – 0.99). Dietary sugar intake (PR 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03 – 1.58) was associated with increased risk, and sh and poultry consumption (PR 0.78; 95% CI: 0.61 – 0.99) with lower risk of overweight/obesity.

Conclusion:

Lifestyle (low physical activity and high sugar intake), and socio-demographic (age, wealthstatus, informal employment and married status) factors were associated with increased risk, and,sh/poultry consumption with lower risk of overweight/obesity. Given its potential for increasing dietrelated\ chronic diseases and poor maternal and child nutrition outcomes, overweight/obesity among Tanzanian women should be addressed through feasible, and effective physical activity and dietary interventions.

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