Prevalence and Perception of Obesity Among Sub-Saharan Africans in Korea

Overview

Journal J Immigr Minor Health

Publisher Springer

Specialties Public Health
Social Sciences

Date 2018 Jun 28

PMID 29948651

Citations 1

Authors

Ijeoma Alaeze

Maxine Newell

Mieun Yun

Sungsoo Chun

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

There is a dearth of obesity study among sub-Saharan African immigrants in Seoul, Korea. We investigated the prevalence and perception of obesity among this population. A cross-sectional study involving 211 immigrants aged 20 years and above from sub-Saharan Africa was carried out, using a structured questionnaire. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) was calculated as the primary outcome variable. The overall prevalence of obesity was 27.0% (men 22.6% and women 36.8%). In a logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, obesity was significantly associated with increased duration of residence. Participants were 4.03 (95% CI 1.63-9.94) more likely to disagree than agree that obesity is a sign of wealth and that it gives respect. There is an urgent need to assess the possible factors predisposing sub-Saharan Africans to obesity and interventions should be designed targeting their lifestyle modification for healthy weight.

Citing Articles

Scoping review protocol on the health of sub-Saharan African migrants in the Asia-Pacific region.

Yang F, Han X, Song Y, Tang W, Wu D, Wang C BMJ Open. 2022; 12(12):e067901.

PMID: 36581434 PMC: 9806078. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067901.

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