BACKGROUND: Obesity is increasing rapidly in Africa, and may not be associated with the same changes in body composition among different ethnic groups in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To assess abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness, prevalence of obesity, and differences in body composition in rural and urban Kenya. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study carried out among Luo, Kamba and Maasai in rural and urban Kenya, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography. Height and weight, waist, mid-upper arm circumferences, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Body mass index (BMI), arm fat area (AFA) and arm muscle area (AMA) were calculated. RESULTS: Among 1430 individuals (58.3% females) aged 17-68 years, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat, BMI, AFA and waist circumference (WC) increased with age, and were highest in the Maasai and in the urban population. AMA was only higher with increasing age among males. The prevalence of overweight (BMI > or = 25) (39.8% vs. 15.8%) and obesity (BMI > or = 30) (15.5% vs. 5.1%) was highest in the urban vs. rural population. CONCLUSION: Abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness was higher with urban residency. A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found. The Maasai had the highest overall fat accumulation.
BACKGROUND:Obesity is increasing rapidly in Africa, and may not be associated with the same changes in body composition among different ethnic groups in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To assess abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness, prevalence of obesity, and differences in body composition in rural and urban Kenya. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study carried out among Luo, Kamba and Maasai in rural and urban Kenya, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography. Height and weight, waist, mid-upper arm circumferences, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Body mass index (BMI), arm fat area (AFA) and arm muscle area (AMA) were calculated. RESULTS: Among 1430 individuals (58.3% females) aged 17-68 years, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat, BMI, AFA and waist circumference (WC) increased with age, and were highest in the Maasai and in the urban population. AMA was only higher with increasing age among males. The prevalence of overweight (BMI > or = 25) (39.8% vs. 15.8%) and obesity (BMI > or = 30) (15.5% vs. 5.1%) was highest in the urban vs. rural population. CONCLUSION:Abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness was higher with urban residency. A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found. The Maasai had the highest overall fat accumulation.
Authors: Shahin Sayed; Zahir Moloo; Ronald Wasike; Peter Bird; Raymond Oigara; Faith Wambui Njoroge; Asim Jamal Shaikh; Satya Vara Prasad; Sudhir Vinayak; Gretchen L Gierach; Sanford M Dawsey; Maya Palakal; Shaoqi Fan; Maeve Mullooly; Rajendra Chauhan; Patricia Okiro; Samuel Gakinya; Ancent Nzioka; Catherine Kyobutungi; Shukri Mohamed; Tilahun Haregu; Mustafa Mussajee; Betty Bonass; Costa Mariwa; Omar Ali Sherman; Abdihakim Mohammed; Andrew Gachii; Joseph Githaiga; Joseph Karanu; Robert Nyagah; Richard Njoroge; Irene Muramba; James Obondi Otieno; Dan Omondi Raburu; Elizabeth B Mwachiro; Innocent Abayo; Mansoor Saleh Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2017-09-26 Impact factor: 4.872
Authors: Mutsa Mutowo; Usha Gowda; John Chamunorwa Mangwiro; Paula Lorgelly; Alice Owen; Andre Renzaho Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2014-11-29 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Rhonda BeLue; Titilayo A Okoror; Juliet Iwelunmor; Kelly D Taylor; Arnold N Degboe; Charles Agyemang; Gbenga Ogedegbe Journal: Global Health Date: 2009-09-22 Impact factor: 4.185
Authors: Marina A Njelekela; Rose Mpembeni; Alfa Muhihi; Nuru L Mligiliche; Donna Spiegelman; Ellen Hertzmark; Enju Liu; Julia L Finkelstein; Wafaie W Fawzi; Walter C Willett; Jacob Mtabaji Journal: BMC Cardiovasc Disord Date: 2009-07-17 Impact factor: 2.298