Dietary diversity and physical activity as risk factors of abdominal obesity among adults in Dilla town, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Globally, the prevalence of obesity is on the rise and has nearly tripled since 1975. In Ethiopia, despite not having well-documented evidence, abdominal obesity has been increasing dramatically, particularly in urban settings. Therefore, this study is intended to determine the prevalence and risk factors of abdominal obesity among adults in Dilla town, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2018 in Dilla Town. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to recruit 663 adults. The study was conducted in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) STEP wise approach. Waist circumference was measured using a flexible metric tape mid-way between the lowest rib and iliac crest with the participant standing at the end of gentle expiration. Abdominal obesity was determined using the International Diabetes Federation cutoff. A logistic regression model was fitted to identify risk factors of abdominal obesity. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to show the strength of association. RESULTS: A total of 634 adults participated in the study with a response rate of 95.6%. This study revealed that 155 (24.4%) [95% CI: (21.50, 27.80)] adults were abdominally obese. Higher odds of being abdominally obese were noted among adults with a high [AOR = 4.61, 95% CI: (2.51–8.45)] and middle [AOR = 3.22, 95% CI: (1.76–5.88)] wealth rank, consuming less diversified diet [AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: (1.31–3.19)], physical inactivity [AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: (1.70–4.22)] and being female [AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: (1.13–3.28)]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of abdominal obesity among adults in Dilla town is considerably high, and became an emerging nutrition related problem. Being in the middle and high wealth rank, physical inactivity, consuming less diversified diet, and being female were the risk factors of abdominal obesity.