Demographic, dietary and physical activity predictors of general and abdominal obesity among university students: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Obesity has become a disease of global public health concern in both developing and developed countries. We investigated the influence of socio-demographic, dietary habits and physical activity levels on general and abdominal obesity among a sample of university students in Ghana. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of 552 students attending the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tamale, Ghana. Demographic characteristics were assessed using questionnaire. Dietary habits were measured by means of food frequency questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements were done using appropriate methods. Physical activity levels were measured using the World Health Organization (WHO) global physical activity questionnaire. Spearman’s nonparametric correlation coefficient and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the determinants of general and abdominal obesity. RESULTS: The prevalence of general overweight/obesity (25.8 % vs. 5.9 %) and abdominal obesity (40.9 % vs. 0.8 %) was higher in female students than in male students. General overweight/obesity was less likely in students who engaged in vigorous physical activity (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.3, 95 % CI = 0.1 – 0.7, p = 0.004), but more likely in students who consumed fruits and vegetables > 3 days per week (AOR = 2.6, 95 % CI = 1.2 – 5.4, p = 0.015). Abdominal obesity was also less likely in male students (AOR = 0.0, 95 % CI = 0.0 – 0.5, p = 0.017) but more likely in students who consumed roots and tubers > 3 times per week (AOR = 8.0, 95 % CI = 2.2 – 10.1, p = 0.017) and in those who consumed alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages > 3 times per week (AOR = 8.2, 95 % CI = 2.2 – 31.1, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Demographic factors, dietary habits and physical activity levels were found to be associated to general overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. General overweight/obesity was associated to the consumption of fruits and vegetables > 3 times a week. The consumption of roots and tubers > 3 times per week and alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages > 3 times a week was associated to abdominal obesity. Engagement in vigorous physical activity and being male were negatively associated to general overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity respectively. Promotion of active lifestyles in young adults should be encouraged.