PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AND RELATED EXPOSURES AMONG ADULT TRADERS IN THE KASSENA-NANKANA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Kassena-Nankana municipality is a fast developing municipality and as a result cannot do away with the consequences of urbanization of overweight, obesity and related exposures, which included genetic factors. The aim of my study was to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and related exposures of traders of age 15 years and above. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of overweight and obesity in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality conducted in the Navrongo central market. Structured interview guide questionnaire, UNICEF UNISCALES and microtoise, Blood Pressure apparatus and tape measure were used for the data collection. Respondents’ levels of physical activity and 24- hour dietary recall were also assessed. The study involved 322 respondents of ages 15 years and above. The prevalence of overweight using BMI classification was 31.1% of which 40.9% were males and 28.5% were females whiles obesity was 9.0% of which 30.3% were males and 28.5% were females. Using waist to hip ratio (WHR) classification, the prevalence of overweight was 26.7% whiles obesity was 36.3% of which 42.4% were males and 34.8% were females. The prevalence of hypertension among the traders was 37.0% of which 27.3% were males and 39.5% respectively. Cereals were widely consumed by study participants. The study revealed that, majority of the participants were not consciously exercising. Overweight, physical inactivity, operating shop trading system, hypertension, age, and cigarette smoking are some of risk factors of obesity among traders in Kasena-Nankan Municipality. Regenerative health and nutrition education as well as making known the benefits of being physically active will go a long way to reduce overweight/obesity related exposures in the municipality.