An Investigation of the Socioeconomic Determinants of Obesity in Nigeria
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ABSTRACT
The ongoing demographic and epidemiologic transitions in Nigeria are some of the possible reasons why the prevalence of obesity is increasing in Nigeria.
The economic impact of obesity in Nigeria may result to a decrease in productivity. Policies have been put in place by the Federal Government to reduce the prevalence of obesity in Nigeria.
However, the nature and magnitude of policies put in place are important to note. It is based on this premise that this study investigates the socioeconomic determinants of obesity in Nigeria.
The simultaneous equation model was used to analyse the study with a cross sectional data sourced from the Demographic and Health Survey 2013.
A dummy variable was created to represent the regions in Nigeria. The result established that the socioeconomic determinants of obesity in Nigeria are wealth index, occupation, region, gender and frequency of watching television. Wealth index has a positive impact on body mass index.
The study also investigated whether obesity varies across geopolitical zones in Nigeria and it was discovered that region has a greater impact on body mass index as it varies significantly across regions.
INTRODUCTION
Obesity is an excessive or abnormal fat accumulation that may impair health if drastic actions are not taken. (Ellulu, Abed, Rahmat, Ranneh & Ali;(2014).
It is a deadly non communicable disease which is gaining increasing importance globally and emanates as a result of excessive food intake containing fats, sugar dense meals and a reduction in physical activities.
Also, obesity occurs as a result of an imbalance between energy intake and energy output leading to the accumulation of fats in the body (Thiam, Samba,& Lwanga;(2006).
The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2014) states that Obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health which occurs in individuals with body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kilogram per metre square (kg/m2) for overweight individuals and a body mass index greater than 30 kilogram per metre square (kg/m2) for obese individuals.
They went further to state that these cut-off points provide a bench mark for individuals assessment.
The higher prevalence of obesity among the women may be attributed to physical inactivity than males, changes in the energy density of diets and sedentary life style.
To buttress this claim, Wahab, Sani, Yusuf, Gbadamosi & Yandutse (2011) observed that women from the Northern part of Nigeria are engaged in sedentary life style,
They also noted that there are women who never worked but preferred being full house wives and engagement in physical exercise is not a common activity in the general population of the North.
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CSN Team.
