Prevalence and Distribution of Obesity Among Market Women in the Kassena Nankana Municipality of Northern Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajfst.v5i2.7028Keywords:
Abdominal Obesity, Body Mass Index, Epidemiology, Ghana, Market Women, Obesity PrevalenceAbstract
The global obesity epidemic has extended to developing countries, with women being disproportionately affected. Market women in Ghana face unique occupational and lifestyle risks for obesity, yet comprehensive prevalence data remain limited. This study examined the prevalence and distribution of general and abdominal obesity among market women in the Kassena Nankana Municipality of Ghana. A cross-sectional study involving 264 market women aged ≥18 years was conducted. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height, with obesity defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m². Waist circumference (WC) was measured, with abdominal obesity defined as WC ≥88 cm. Prevalence rates were calculated overall and stratified by socio-demographic characteristics. Chi-square tests examined associations between obesity and demographic variables. The overall obesity prevalence was 54.2% (143/264), with an additional 36.7% (97/264) being overweight and only 9.1% (24/264) having normal weight. Abdominal obesity prevalence was even higher at 73.5% (194/264). Mean BMI was 31.4±5.0 kg/m² and mean WC was 97.0±11.1 cm. Obesity prevalence increased dramatically with age: 18-28 years (4.0%), 29-39 years (45.7%), 40-50 years (80.8%), and 51-65 years (94.4%; p <). Educational level showed an inverse association with obesity: no education (64.9%), basic education (62.7%), secondary education (30.2%), vocational (61.9%), and tertiary (51.6%), p=0.005. Married women had significantly higher obesity rates (60.6%) compared to single (25.6%), divorced (48.3%), and widowed (47.7%) women, p<0.001. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 90.9%, indicating that the vast majority of market women had excess body weight. The prevalence of obesity among market women in the Kassena Nankana Municipality is alarmingly high, exceeding rates reported in most urban Ghanaian populations. The nearly universal presence of overweight or obesity (90.9%) represents a public health crisis requiring urgent attention. Age-specific and education-targeted interventions are critically needed to address this epidemic among vulnerable market women.
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