Rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in older Ghanaian adults from 2007-2015: evidence from WHO-SAGE Waves 1 & 2
BackgroundStudies on changes in the prevalence and determinants of obesity in older adults living in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We examined recent changes in obesity prevalence and associated factors for older adults in Ghana between 2007/08 and 2014/15.\n\nMethodsData on adults aged 50 years and older in Ghana were collected in the WHO SAGE Wave 1 (2007/08; n=4158) and Wave 2 (2014/15; n=1663). The weighted prevalence of obesity, overweight, normal weight and underweight, and of high central adiposity was compared in Waves 1 and 2. Multinomial and binomial logistic regressions were used to examine whether the determinants of weight status based on objectively measured body mass index and waist circumference changed between the two survey periods.\n\nResultsThe prevalence of obesity (Wave 1=10.2%, 95% CI: 8.9-11.7%; Wave 2=15.0%, 95% CI: 12.6-17.7%) and overweight (Wave 1=19.6%, 95% CI: 18.0-21.4%; Wave 2=24.5%, 95% CI: 21.7-27.5%) was higher in Wave 2 than Wave 1 and more than half of the population had high central adiposity (Wave 1=57.7%, 95% CI: 55.4-60.1%; Wave 2=66.9%, 95% CI: 63.7-70.0%) in both study periods. Obesity prevalence was 16% lower in males and 55% higher in females comparing Wave 1 to Wave 2. Female sex, urban residence, and high household wealth were associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity and high central adiposity. Those aged 70+ years had lower odds of obesity in both study waves. In Wave 2, females with physical activity level were more likely to be obese.\n\nConclusionOver the 7-year period between survey waves, the population prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by 25% and 47%, respectively, while underweight reduced by 43%. These findings differed considerably by sex, which points to differential impacts of past initiatives to reduce overweight/obesity, potential high-risk groups in Ghana, and the need to increase surveillance.