Abstract

The trend of overweight and obesity was growing with shifts in individual and behavioral factors. Globally,
overweight and obesity becoming a major problem, yet extensive data especially in Africa is still lacking. The
objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence, socio-economic, and lifestyle-related factors associated
with overweight and obesity among women aged 18-49 years in Kizinda in Bushenyi district. A cross-sectional
analytical study design was used. Data on prevalence was collected through anthropometric measurements using
the BMI (Body Mass Index) while those of socio-economic and individual factors were collected with a structured
questionnaire. 271 women aged 18-49 years in Kizinda Trading Center, Bushenyi district were sampled. The
prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Bushenyi town was 47.24% and
19.92% respectively. Housewives were twice as likely to be overweighed and obese [AOR: 2.10, 95% CI (0.87-
3.15)]. Unemployed women have 74% [AOR: 1.26, 95% CI (0.50-2.36)] higher odds of being overweight or obese
and those who earn >700000 shillings have 37% [AOR: 1.63, 95% CI (0.56-2.25)] higher odds to be overweight
and obese. Compared with women who live in rented houses, those who live in their own houses were 48% [AOR:
1.52, 95% CI (0.78-2.94)] higher odds of being overweight or obese. Women who engaged in physical activity had
65% [AOR: 0.35, 95% CI (0.17-1.27)] less odds of being overweight or obese compared to those who did not.
Participants whose food intake is mostly rice and ghee had 55% [AOR: 1.45, 95% CI (0.40-1.27)] and 44% [AOR:
1.56, 95% CI (0.53-2.11)] more odds of being overweight or obese respectively compared to those who take Posho.
Women whose food intake was mostly milk were two times [AOR: 2.01, 95% CI (0.55-2.75)] more likely to be
overweighed or obese compared to those who take Posho. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among
women of reproductive age in Bushenyi calls for serious attention. Public health interventions through awareness
programs about the consequences of overall and abdominal obesity should be implemented.
Keywords: Overweight, Obesity, Posho, Women, Housewives.