Epidemiological correlates of overweight and obesity in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Mackenzie H. Smith,
Justin W. Myrick,
Oshiomah Oyageshio,
Caitlin Uren,
Jamie Saayman,
Sihaam Boolay,
Lena van der Westhuizen,
Cedric Werely,
Marlo Möller,
Brenna M. Henn,
Austin W. Reynolds
Affiliations
Mackenzie H. Smith
Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, United States
Justin W. Myrick
Department of Anthropology and UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
Oshiomah Oyageshio
Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
Caitlin Uren
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Jamie Saayman
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Sihaam Boolay
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Lena van der Westhuizen
Department of Anthropology and UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
Cedric Werely
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Marlo Möller
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Brenna M. Henn
Department of Anthropology and UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
Austin W. Reynolds
Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, United States
Background In the past several decades, obesity has become a major public health issue worldwide, associated with increased rates of chronic disease and death. Like many developing nations, South Africa is experiencing rapid increases in BMI, and as a result, evidence-based preventive strategies are needed to reduce the increasing burden of overweight and obesity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among a multi-ethnic cohort from the rural Northern Cape of South Africa. Methods These data were collected as part of a tuberculosis (TB) case-control study, with 395 healthy control participants included in the final analysis. Overweight and obesity were defined according to WHO classification. Multivariate linear models of BMI were generated using sex, age, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes as predictor variables. We also used multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship of these factors with overweight and obesity. Results The average BMI in our study cohort was 25.2. The prevalence of overweight was 18.0% and the prevalence of obesity was 25.0%. We find that female sex, being older, having more years of formal education, having diabetes, and being in a rural area are all positively associated with BMI in our dataset. Women (OR = 5.6, 95% CI [3.3–9.8]), rural individuals (OR = 3.3, 95% CI [1.9–6.0]), older individuals (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1–1.04]), and those with more years of education (OR = 1.2, 95% CI [1.09–1.32]) were all more likely to be overweight or obese. Alternatively, being a smoker is negatively associated with BMI and decreases one’s odds of being overweight or obese (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.16–0.46]). Conclusions We observed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study. The odds of being overweight and obese were higher in women, those living in rural areas, and those with more education, and increases with age. Community-based interventions to control obesity in this region should pay special attention to these groups.
