Central Obesity and Associated Factors Among Urban Adults in Dire Dawa Administrative City, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Central obesity (CO) is a medical problem in which extra fat is accumulated in the abdomen and stomach extent that it may harm health. Furthermore, previous studies in Ethiopia predominantly relied on body mass index used to measure obesity and do not show distribution of fat. However, there is a paucity of information on the measurement of central obesity using waist circumference and associated factors in Ethiopia particularly in the study area. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of central obesity and associated factors among urban adults in Dire Dawa, administrative city, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 633 adults in selected kebeles of administrative city from October 15 to November 15, 2020. A multistage and systematic sampling procedure was used to select study participants. Central obesity is defined as a condition with waist circumference ≥83.7 cm for men and ≥78 cm for women with or without general obesity (GO). Odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify factors associated with central obesity using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

The overall prevalence of central obesity was 76.1%; at 95% CI (73%, 80%). Associated factors of central obesity were age 45 years and above [AOR = 3.75, 95% CI (1.86, 7.55)], being female [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI: (1.62, 3.94)], alcohol consumption [AOR = 2.61, 95% CI: (1.69, 4.05], physical inactivity [AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: (1.23, 3.42)], and two hour and more time spent on watching television [AOR = 3.30, 95% CI: (1.59, 6.82)].

Conclusion

The study shows central obesity was high in the study area. Age 45 years and above, being females, married, physically inactive, alcohol consumption, and spending a long time watching television was associated with central obesity. Having regular physical activity, limiting alcohol drinking, and limiting time spent watching television were recommended to prevent central obesity and associated risk among adults.

Keywords:

• central obesity
• prevalence
• associated factors
• Eastern Ethiopia

Abbreviations

AO, Abdominal Obesity; AOR, Adjusted Odds Ratio; BMI, Body Mass Index; CO, Central Obesity; CSA, Central Statistical Agency; EDHS, Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey; FFQ, Food Frequency Questionnaire; WC, Waist Circumference; WHR, Waist to Hip Ratio; WHtR, Waist to Height Ratio; WHO, World Health Organization.

Data Sharing Statement

All data concerning this result can be obtained from the corresponding author at any time on reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dire Dawa University. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Administrative bodies of the Dire Dawa Health office and kebeles for their full cooperation, and I would like to thank the communities of Dire Dawa for their full participation, the study participants for their commitment to respond to questions by sacrificing their time, data collectors, translators and data supervisors for their commuted activities.

Author Contributions

EI participated in the conception, designing of the study, and analyzed and interpreted the data. KH, MM, and KW participated in the designing of the study, analysis, write-up, and drafting of the manuscripts. KH and MM and BH critically reviewed and drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final draft. All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest for this work.