Sociodemographic, nutritional and anthropometric factors determining overweight and obesity in an adult moroccan population

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the determinants of the weight status of a population is important to be considered in actions aimed at improving public health. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the sociodemographic, nutritional and anthropometric factors associated with overweight and obesity in an adult Moroccan population. METHODS: This study focused on 507 adult subjects from the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region in Morocco, according to a validated conceptual and methodological framework. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire, physical activity (PA) was assessed by the Marshal questionnaire, dietary intakes were estimated by a “dietary history” type survey. Anthropometric parameters were also measured using impedancemetry and a tape measure. RESULTS: The majority of the study population was 20 to 29 years old, females, urban and had an medium socio-economic level (SEL). The population’s dietary intake was high in calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and sodium; and low in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, iron, calcium and zinc. Univariate analysis revealed that overweight and obesity are associated with the 30–39 yrs age group, average SEL, insufficient PA, high intakes of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, as well as with high waist circumference and excessive body fat percentage. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with overweight and obesity were identified in the study population, revealing a coexistence of high intakes of energy and macronutrient and low intake of several micronutrients. The prevalence of deficiencies and excesses of these intakes testifys of a double burden of malnutrition in this population. The results are very relevant for guiding nutritional education actions among this population.