Socioeconomic Status and Obesity among Semi-Urban Nigerians

Objective: The relation between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been inconsistent. Methods: This study examined the prevalence of obesity and SES/obesity relations in 1,067 adults aged 30-60 years from a semi-urban Nigerian population. A structured questionnaire validated by a pictorial self-rating ladder was used to determine the participants' SES. Results: SES was found to be inversely related (p < 0.010) to weight and BMI, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for obesity among lower SES individuals were OR 2.4 and CI 1.91-2.88 compared with OR 2.9 and CI 2.42-3.39 in those of the middle and higher socioeconomic strata. Among males, the OR and 95% CI for obesity among lower SES individuals were OR 1.9 and CI 1.21-2.59 compared with OR 1.7 and CI 1.00-2.39 in those of the middle and higher socioeconomic strata. Among females, the OR and 95% CI for obesity among lower SES individuals were OR 3.0 and CI 2.32-3.68 compared with OR 4.7 and CI 4.02-5.38 in those of the middle and higher socioeconomic strata. Conclusion: SES was inversely associated with the risk of obesity, with a higher prevalence of obesity in the lower socioeconomic stratum of the semi-urban Nigerian population.