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 selfrating 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.

Keywords:
Socioeconomic status, BMI, Overweight, Obesity
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© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
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