Knowledge and Lifestyle-Associated Prevalence of Obesity among Newly Diagnosed Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending Diabetic Clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract EN

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and prevalence of obesity among Ghanaian newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among diagnosed type 2 diabetics.

Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data.

Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood sugar levels were also assessed.

Participants had adequate knowledge about the general concept of obesity (72.0%) and method of weight measurement (98.6%) but were less knowledgeable of ideal body weight (4.2%).

The commonly known cause, complication, and management of obesity were poor diet (76.9%), hypertension (81.8%), and diet modification (86.7%), respectively.

The anthropometric measures were higher among females compared to males.

Prevalence of obesity was 61.3% according to WHR classification, 40.8% according to WHtR classification, 26.1% according to WC, and 14.8% according to BMI classification.

Being female was significantly associated with high prevalence of obesity irrespective of the anthropometric measure used (p<0.05).

Taking of snacks in meals, eating meals late at night, physical inactivity, excessive fast food intake, and alcoholic beverage intake were associated with increased prevalence of obesity (p<0.05).

Prevalence of obesity is high among diabetic patient and thus increasing effort towards developing and making education programs by focusing on adjusting to lifestyle modifications is required.