Prevalence, time trends and associated factors of adult overweight and obesity in 36 countries in the WHO African region from 2003 to 2022: a study of 54 WHO STEPS surveys representing 156 million adults

BMJ Global Health 2026 Open access

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Authors: Kouamivi Mawuenyegan Agboyibor, Aboubakari Nambiema, Ali Golestani, Joseph Okeibunor, Cheick Bady Bady Diallo, Xavier Jouven, Jean-Marie Dangou, Farshad Farzadfar, Jean-Philippe Empana
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019988
Cited by: 3
References: 41

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence, temporal trends and associated factors of overweight and obesity among adults in the WHO African region. METHODS: We analysed individual-level data from 54 nationally/sub-nationally representative STEPS surveys conducted between 2003 and 2022 among adults aged 18-69 years. Prevalence estimates were weighted and age-standardised. Time trends were estimated using a Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling approach. Factors associated with body mass index (BMI) categories were identified in hierarchical multinomial mixed-effects logistic regression with random effects for country and survey year, using the normo-weighted as the reference group. RESULTS: (24.23±1.60 in women and 22.11±1.53 in men, p for sex difference

Fields of Study & Subjects

Obesity Physical Activity Diet Child Nutrition and Water Access Diabetes Cardiovascular Risks and Lipoproteins

Publication details

Journal / source
BMJ Global Health
Publisher
BMJ
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
e019988–e019988
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN