Weight abnormalities among Nigerian women: correlates and programmatic implications.
population health
31
Issue: 1
(11 - 2017)
Whereas overweight is on the rise among women in Africa, many African women are still underweight,
introducing a dual burden for the countries’ limited resources. Using data from the 2013 DHS, this
paper examines this dual problem and its correlates in Nigeria. There is significant co-existence of
overweight and underweight within the major socio-demographic groups. Nationally, more than twice
as many women of reproductive age are overweight as are underweight (24.6 versus 11.3%). The
factors positively associated with the risk of being overweight rather than having a normal weight
include being ever-married, southern ethnic descent, higher education, higher wealth quintiles,
prevalence of post-primary education in one’s cluster, and urban residence. Programmatic efforts in
Nigeria should target underweight and overweight by encouraging people to consume more
wholesome meals, providing nutritional assistance for underweight women, addressing factors that
favor weight abnormalities in the built environment and engaging communities in changing unhealthy
norms related to nutrition.
Key words: obesity; overweight; underweight; Nigeria
0