Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity and Associated Factors Among Secondary School Students in Kisangani, DRC: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
Background: Adolescent obesity is a growing public health concern globally, including in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity among school-aged adolescents in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study from October to December 2023 in 15 secondary schools across five communes of Kisangani. A total of 1,416 students aged 11 to 18 years were enrolled. Data were collected using structured interviews and anthropometric measurements. Abdominal obesity was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2007 pediatric criteria. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify associated factors.
Results: The overall prevalence of abdominal obesity was 12.35%, with a significantly higher rate in girls (15.83%) than in boys (3.10%). Key associated factors included female sex (OR = 5.85; p < 0.0001), sedentary behavior (watching TV > 3 hours/day), use of motorized transport to school, frequent meat consumption, and having three or more meals per day. Co-occurrence of other metabolic risk factors such as elevated triglycerides, high fasting glucose, and low HDL-C was observed in up to 2.33% of adolescents, meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Abdominal obesity and its associated risk factors are prevalent among adolescents in Kisangani, especially among girls. Immediate public health interventions focused on nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle habits are essential to curb the rising trend of adolescent obesity in urban areas of the DRC.
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