Association of Socioeconomic Status, Dietary Pattern, and Lifestyle Behaviours with Obesity among Adults in Ngozi: A Case Control Approach
Jean Baptiste Bucumi *
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O. Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Jean Felix Karikurubu
University of Burundi, Faculty of Agronomy and Food Biotechnology, Burundi.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity is an emerging public health challenge in low-income countries undergoing rapid nutritional and socio-economic transition. Local analytical evidence remains limited in Burundi.
Methodology: An analytical case-control study was conducted by involving 90 participants, including 30 obese cases (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and 60 normal-weight controls (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI), blood pressure assessment and capillary blood glucose testing. Statistical analyses included bivariate tests (Chi-square, Student's t-test) and multivariate logistic regression. The significance threshold was set at p < 0.05.
Results and Conclusion: Findings revealed that non-consumption of legumes and nuts (ORa = 5.85; 95% CI: 1.34-25.53; p=0.019) and low dietary diversity (OR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.09-5.14; p=0.030) were significantly associated with obesity. Female sex (ORa = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.04-7.09; p=0.042) and higher household income (>300,000 BIF) (ORa = 4.32; 95% CI: 1.45-12.89; p=0.009) were also significantly associated. Family history of obesity was identified as the strongest independent risk factor (ORa = 4.19; 95% CI: 1.51-11.61; p=0.006). Although hypertension and hyperglycemia were more frequent among obese participants, these associations were not statistically significant. However, elevated diastolic blood pressure at the second measurement showed a significant association (p=0.014), suggesting early cardiovascular alterations. Behavioral factors — including physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and stress — were not significantly associated with obesity. In conclusion, obesity in Ngozi Commune appears as a multifactorial condition driven by nutritional transition, socio-economic changes and familial susceptibility. These findings underscore the need for integrated prevention strategies focusing on dietary diversification, promotion of traditional diets and early risk screening.
Keywords: Obesity, dietary diversity, socio-economic factors, case-control study, Burundi