Assessment of the Prevalence of Body Mass Index in Some Rural Agro-Settlements, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

This study was focused on the assessment of the prevalence of body mass index in some rural agro-settlements, in south-east Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A sample size of 400 was randomly selected. Slovin’s formula n=N/ (1 + N*e²) was used to estimate the sample size from the population of 148,415 for Isi-Uzo local government area. The sample size of 385 was rounded up to 400 to ensure inclusiveness and representation of the towns involved. The research examined the prevalence of body mass index (BMI) among residents in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, focusing on gender, communities, educational status, and monthly income level. The findings revealed no significant gender-based differences in BMI among the participants, although overweight was more prevalent in males, while underweight, normal weight, and obesity were more prevalent in females. Significant differences in BMI were observed across different communities, with higher rates of underweight and normal weight in Umualor, overweight in Neke, and obesity in Mbu. Regarding educational status, normal BMI was predominant across all levels. Monthly income level also showed significant differences in BMI, with underweight more common among those with no income, normal BMI prevalent among those with a monthly income of ≤ N10,000, overweight higher in the N75,001 to N100,000 income range, and obesity more common in the N100,001 to N150,000 income range.

Keywords: Assessment, prevalence, BMI, rural agro-settlements, Isi-Uzo local government area

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-14-01

Publication date:August 31^st 2023