High Prevalence of Obesity among Indigenous Residents of a Nigerian Ethnic Group: The Kalabaris in the Niger Delta Region of South-South Nigeria

Obesity is known to result in serious health consequence, yet, there are no known data on its prevalence among the Kalabari ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of this disease among the indigenous residents of Kalabari communities in South-south Nigeria. Three hundred and four (304) adult subjects (117 males and 187 females) between the ages of 20-70 years participated in this study. Anthropometric parameters such as age, weight and height as well as information on their socio-cultural lifestyle were obtained. Results show a mean BMI of 30.00±6.88 kg/m2, with 0.99% of the subjects being underweight, 27.63% normal weight, 22.04% overweight, and 49.34 % were obese. Positive correlation (r = 0.3; p<0.05) was found to exist between age and BMI, and subjects of different age range differed in their obesity status. Diet and socio-cultural lifestyle were also found to influence obesity. The study therefore demonstrated a high prevalence of obesity among indigenous residents of Kalabari tribe; indicating a high risk of developing obesity related health disorders.