Obesity, overweight and under weight in suburban northern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Weight has long been known to be a determinant of health and disease. Both overweight and underweight are associated with health consequences. We report the results of a community survey of underweight, obesity and overweight in two suburban communities in northern Nigeria. We studied an adult population sample in suburban northern Nigeria. Obesity was defined as BMI >/= 30KgM[-2] while overweight was defined as BMI >/= 25.0 but underweight was defined as BMI males and 50 [15.77%] females. Forty-one [13.1%] of the subjects had obesity, overweight occurred in 58 [18.5%] while underweight occurred in 21[6.7%] subjects. Both over-nutrition and under-nutrition are common in these communities with the former being more prevalent. Concerted efforts should be made to appropriately control the prevalence of overweight and obesity