The Association of Socio-Demographic Factors with Overweight/Obesity among Students (Ages 18-35 Years) in Cavendish University, Uganda
Received Date: Jul 12, 2017 / Accepted Date: Nov 02, 2017 / Published Date: Nov 14, 2017
Abstract
The rise in global obesity rate has presents a major public health challenges in both the developed and the developing world.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with overweight/obesity among students (18-32years) in Cavendish University Uganda.
Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional and analytical study design were used employing quantitative data collection approach using 352 population sample size among Cavendish university students. Consecutive sampling techniques were used; anthropometric measurements of BMI with structured questionnaire were used to collect data. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS.
Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among the student was 15.1%, this result reflects that 2 out of every 10 Cavendish University students were overweight/obese. Religion (X2=12.139, P-value=0.007), marital status (X2=17.044, P-value=0.000), pocket money per month (X2=12.424, P-value=0.002) and employment status (X2=7.060, P-value=0.029) were the socio-demographic factors found to be associated with being overweight/ obese. After adjusting for the odd ratio, the variables found to be statistically significant with being overweight/obese were as follows: students who practice protestant religion (AOR=5.433, CI=17.341-1.702), students who practice other religion such as seventh day Adventist, free thinker etc (AOR=3.305, CI=9.931-1.099), students who practice catholic religion (AOR=1.259, CI=3.375-0.470). Students who are cohabiting (AOR=1.965, CI=4.084-0.945). Those whose pocket money per month is within the range of 201,000-500,000 UGX (AOR=4.176, CI=10.982-1.588).
Conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Cavendish university students (ages 18-35) is moderately high. Religions, marital status, pocket money per month and employment status were the factors associated with overweight/obesity. Recommendation: Health education, recreational activities, social clubs, orientation & sensitization of young adult on how to overcome the growing cases of overweight/obesity.
Keywords: Obesity; Overweight; Socio-demographic factors; Body mass index
Citation: Kolawole AK, Kevin NU, Oluwole I, Ademola S (2017) The Association of Socio-Demographic Factors with Overweight/Obesity among Students (Ages 18-35 Years) in Cavendish University, Uganda. Epidemiology (Sunnyvale) 7: 328. Doi: 10.4172/2161-1165.1000328
Copyright: © 2017 Kolawole AK, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Share This Article
Recommended Journals
Open Access Journals
Article Tools
Article Usage
- Total views: 4662
- [From(publication date): 0-2017 - Aug 16, 2024]
- Breakdown by view type
- HTML page views: 3991
- PDF downloads: 671