2024/10/10 by Idris, Usman, Sayyid, Sumayya, MUSA Sulaiman, Kabiru +3
#Kaduna state #Market women #Obesity #Prevalence #Samaru-Zaria #cross-sectional #overweight
paper · doi:10.60787/tnhj.v24i3.851
Background: Lifestyles changes and increased affluence have led to increasing obesity in developing countries, with implications in women- infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, perinatal complications, and chronic medical illnesses. Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high-caloric, energy-dense foods pose an increased risk among market women. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 79 female traders of the Samaru market. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, necessary information including socio-demographics, dietary patterns, physical activity, height, and weight were collected. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 at a level of significance p<0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee, Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Result: Out of the 79 respondents, the majority were <40years of age 43 (54.4%), non-Yoruba tribe 49 (62.0%), currently married 46 (58.2%), below the tertiary level of education 55 (69.6%), engaged in physical activity 54 (68.4%) and within 0-10years of trading 40 (50.6%). Some of the respondents have a background chronic medical illnesses 27 (34.2%), ranging from hypertension, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 26.6% and 30.4% respectively. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant statistical relationship between obesity and age (P= 0.005), marital status (P= 0.0028), years of trading (P= 0.011), and the presence of chronic medical illness (P= <0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was found to be high. Therefore, there is a need for proper health education and promotion to reduce it and its possible attending consequences.