Abstract

1Assane Hamadi, 2Balaka Abago, 3 Tchamdja Toyi*, 2Djagadou Kodjo Agbéko and 2Djibril Mohaman Awalou

The aim of this study was to examine the socio-demographic and behavioral profile of obese people in the municipality of Tchamba. We conducted a cross-sectional study examining the obese population of Tchamba Municipality during the period of 20 October to 20 December 2011. The sample of this study was characterized by female with a sex ratio F/H equal to 2.46. The age range of 46 to 60 years was the most represented (35%), and the most common occupation was that of merchant (52.20%). The food was predominantly carbohydrate type of cereals (maize, rice and yam) in all subjects with 85.60 % who were taking three meals a day. Snacking was practiced daily and rarely respectively for 13.33% and 67.80% of the subjects. It was more practiced by the female subjects (65.6%). The sport was not regularly used in 80% of cases. The socio-demographic characteristics most frequently observed within 3 degrees of obesity (lightweight, medium and severe) were as follows: female gender (respectively 64.44 %, 70.96 % et 92.85 %), the profession of trader (respectively 44.44 %, 54.83 % et 71.42 %), sedentary occupation (respectively 64.44 %, 80.64 % et 85.71 %), and not instruction (respectively 73.33 %, 77.41 % et 71.42 %). Behaviours observed among the subjects of our study were distributed as follow: Non sport (respectively 73.33 %, 83.87 % and 92.85 %), snacking (respectively 92.85 %, 9.67 % et 57.14 %), the number of daily meals (respectively 80 %, 90.32 % et 100 %). The main demographic factors observed among obese in our study were: female sex, age (from 46 years), and low levels of education. Sedentary lifestyle, snacking, taking more than 3 meals a day and not in physical exercise were the most found behaviors in obese subjects. Awareness campaigns should be directed towards these targets to promote healthy eating and participation in physical exercise to reduce obesity.