Altered Phenotypic Parameters, Obesity Risk Factors and Co-Morbidities in a Population of Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Obesity is a disease with multifactorial etiology with co-morbidities occurring in epidemic proportions in Nigeria, thereby constituting significant economic and health burdens. This study investigates altered biophysical parameters and likelihood model fits for predicting the risk of co-morbidities in obese and non–obese subjects in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: Three thousand subjects (1500 obese and 1500 non-obese) aged 18 years and above were recruited from Osun and Oyo States, Nigeria communities. Blood samples were collected into appropriate bottles for biochemical analyses using standard procedures. Phenotypic parameters (height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences) were also assessed. Multivariate regression analyses and statistical models were designed to determine the association between obesity risk factors and co-morbidities. Results: Mean ages of obese (60.4± 13.8years) and non-obese (58.6± 15.7years) subjects were significantly different. Obesity showed a male preponderance. Mean BMI, waist-hip ratio, and waist and hip circumferences were higher (p<0.05) among obese subjects but increased with age in both groups (P<0.05). Mean triglyceride, fasting glucose levels, arterial blood pressure, pulse pressure, and mean heart rate increased in the obese group compared to the non-obese group. Adjusted Odds of Obesity (WHO) showed that stress, family history of cardiovascular disease, and diabetes were significantly associated with obesity. Conclusion: Increasing age, male gender, and hypertension were all significantly associated with the development of obesity among Nigerians of Southwestern extraction.