Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study
Background and Aim. The knowledge about the health status of Somalis in Norway and Somaliland is limited. This paper reports the results of a comparative study on the prevalence and predictors of overweight/obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland. Method. We conducted two cross-sectional stud...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Obesity |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/4539171 |
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| author | Soheir H. Ahmed Haakon E. Meyer Marte K. Kjøllesdal Ahmed A. Madar |
| author_facet | Soheir H. Ahmed Haakon E. Meyer Marte K. Kjøllesdal Ahmed A. Madar |
| author_sort | Soheir H. Ahmed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and Aim. The knowledge about the health status of Somalis in Norway and Somaliland is limited. This paper reports the results of a comparative study on the prevalence and predictors of overweight/obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland. Method. We conducted two cross-sectional studies using the same tools and procedures, between 2015 and 2016. The study population was adults aged 20–69 years (n=1110 (Somaliland) and n=220 (Norway)). Results. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) was 44% and 31% in women in Norway and Somaliland, respectively. In contrast, the prevalence of obesity was low in men (9% in Norway; 6% in Somaliland). Although the prevalence of high BMI was higher in Somali women in Norway than women in Somaliland, both groups had the same prevalence of central obesity (waist circumference (WC) ≥ 88 cm). In men, the prevalence of central obesity (WC ≥ 102 cm) was lower in Somaliland than in Norway. For women in Somaliland, high BMI was associated with lower educational level and being married. Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among Somali immigrants in Norway, but also among women in Somaliland. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly among women, calls for long-term prevention strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bb4e25b3b7fb4aa9ac7ba010eebdfa39 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-0708 2090-0716 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Obesity |
| spelling | doaj-art-bb4e25b3b7fb4aa9ac7ba010eebdfa392025-02-03T06:44:13ZengWileyJournal of Obesity2090-07082090-07162018-01-01201810.1155/2018/45391714539171Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative StudySoheir H. Ahmed0Haakon E. Meyer1Marte K. Kjøllesdal2Ahmed A. Madar3Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayBackground and Aim. The knowledge about the health status of Somalis in Norway and Somaliland is limited. This paper reports the results of a comparative study on the prevalence and predictors of overweight/obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland. Method. We conducted two cross-sectional studies using the same tools and procedures, between 2015 and 2016. The study population was adults aged 20–69 years (n=1110 (Somaliland) and n=220 (Norway)). Results. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) was 44% and 31% in women in Norway and Somaliland, respectively. In contrast, the prevalence of obesity was low in men (9% in Norway; 6% in Somaliland). Although the prevalence of high BMI was higher in Somali women in Norway than women in Somaliland, both groups had the same prevalence of central obesity (waist circumference (WC) ≥ 88 cm). In men, the prevalence of central obesity (WC ≥ 102 cm) was lower in Somaliland than in Norway. For women in Somaliland, high BMI was associated with lower educational level and being married. Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among Somali immigrants in Norway, but also among women in Somaliland. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly among women, calls for long-term prevention strategies.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/4539171 |
| spellingShingle | Soheir H. Ahmed Haakon E. Meyer Marte K. Kjøllesdal Ahmed A. Madar Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study Journal of Obesity |
| title | Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study |
| title_full | Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study |
| title_short | Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study |
| title_sort | prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among somalis in norway and somaliland a comparative study |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/4539171 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT soheirhahmed prevalenceandpredictorsofoverweightandobesityamongsomalisinnorwayandsomalilandacomparativestudy AT haakonemeyer prevalenceandpredictorsofoverweightandobesityamongsomalisinnorwayandsomalilandacomparativestudy AT martekkjøllesdal prevalenceandpredictorsofoverweightandobesityamongsomalisinnorwayandsomalilandacomparativestudy AT ahmedamadar prevalenceandpredictorsofoverweightandobesityamongsomalisinnorwayandsomalilandacomparativestudy |