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Biocultural determinants of overweight and obesity in the context of nutrition transition in Senegal: a holistic anthropological approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2018

Emmanuel Cohen Open the ORCID record for Emmanuel Cohen [Opens in a new window] ,
Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge ,
Amadou Ndao ,
Priscilla Duboz ,
Enguerran Macia ,
Lamine Gueye ,
Gilles Boëtsch ,
Patrick Pasquet ,
Michelle Holdsworth  and
Nicole Chapuis-Lucciani
Emmanuel Cohen*
Affiliation:
MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa CNRS, UMI 3189, Faculty of Medicine, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal
Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge
Affiliation:
Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Amadou Ndao
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMR 8177, IIAC-LAIOS, EHESS, Paris, France Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
Priscilla Duboz
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMI 3189, Faculty of Medicine, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal
Enguerran Macia
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMI 3189, Faculty of Medicine, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal
Lamine Gueye
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMI 3189, Faculty of Medicine, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal
Gilles Boëtsch
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMI 3189, Faculty of Medicine, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal
Patrick Pasquet
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMR-MNHN 7206, Musée de l’Homme, Paris, France
Michelle Holdsworth
Affiliation:
School of Health and Related Research, Public Health Section, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Nicole Chapuis-Lucciani
Affiliation:
CNRS, UMI 3189, Faculty of Medicine, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal
*
*Corresponding author. Email: emmcohen@outlook.fr
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Abstract

Senegal is experiencing a rising obesity epidemic, due to the nutrition transition occurring in most African countries, and driven by sedentary behaviour and high-calorie dietary intake. In addition, the anthropological local drivers of the social valorization of processed high-calorie food and large body sizes could expose the population to obesity risk. This study aimed to determine the impact of these biocultural factors on the nutritional status of Senegalese adults. A mixed methods approach was used, including qualitative and quantitative studies. Between 2011 and 2013, fourteen focus group discussions (n=84) and a cross-sectional quantitative survey (n=313 women; n=284 men) of adults in three different socio-ecological areas of Senegal (rural: n=204; suburban: n=206; urban: n=187) were conducted. Dietary intake (Dietary Diversity Scores), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), body weight norms (Body Size Scale), weight and health statuses (anthropometric measures and blood pressure) were measured. Middle-aged and older Senegalese women were found to value overweight/obesity more than younger Senegalese in all regions. In addition, young urban/suburban adults had a tendency for daily snacking whilst urban/suburban adults tended to be less physically active and had higher anthropometric means. A binary logistic regression model showed that being female, older, living in urban/suburban areas and valuing larger body size were independently associated with being overweight/obese, but not high-calorie diet. Univariate analyses showed that lower physical activity and higher socioeconomic status were associated with being overweight/obese. Finally, overweight/obesity, which is low in men, is associated with hypertension in the total sample. The nutrition transition is currently underway in Senegal’s urban/suburban areas, with older women being more affected. Since several specific biocultural factors jointly contribute to this phenomenon, the study’s findings suggest the need for local public health interventions that target women and which account for the anthropological specificities of the Senegalese population.

Keywords

EcohealthObesityPopulation Health
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 51 , Issue 4 , July 2019 , pp. 469 - 490
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press, 2018 

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