Trends in obesity and diabetes across regions in Africa from 1980 to 2014: an analysis of pooled population-based studies

Kengne, Andre Pascal, Bentham, James, Zhou, Bin, Peer, Nasheeta, Matsha, Tandi E., Bixby, Honor, Cesare, Mariachiara Di, Hajifathalian, Kaveh, Lu, Yuan, Taddei, Cristina, and others. (2017) Trends in obesity and diabetes across regions in Africa from 1980 to 2014: an analysis of pooled population-based studies. International Journal of Epidemiology, 46 (5). pp. 1421-1432. ISSN 0300-5771. E-ISSN 1464-3685. (doi:10.1093/ije/dyx078) (KAR id:64446)

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyx078

Abstract

Background: The 2016 Dar Es Salaam Call to Action on Diabetes and Other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) advocates national multi-sectoral NCD strategies and action plans based on available data and information from countries of sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. We estimated trends from 1980 to 2014 in age-standardized mean body mass index (BMI) and diabetes prevalence in these countries, in order to assess the co-progression and assist policy formulation.

Methods: We pooled data from African and worldwide population-based studies which measured height, weight and biomarkers to assess diabetes status in adults aged???18 years. A Bayesian hierarchical model was used to estimate trends by sex for 200 countries and territories including 53 countries across five African regions (central, eastern, northern, southern and western), in mean BMI and diabetes prevalence (defined as either fasting plasma glucose of ? 7.0?mmol/l, history of diabetes diagnosis, or use of insulin or oral glucose control agents).

Results: African data came from 245 population-based surveys (1.2 million participants) for BMI and 76 surveys (182?000 participants) for diabetes prevalence estimates. Countries with the highest number of data sources for BMI were South Africa (n?=?17), Nigeria (n?=?15) and Egypt (n?=?13); and for diabetes estimates, Tanzania (n?=?8), Tunisia (n?=?7), and Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa (all n?=?6). The age-standardized mean BMI increased from 21.0?kg/m2 (95% credible interval: 20.3–21.7) to 23.0?kg/m2 (22.7–23.3) in men, and from 21.9?kg/m2 (21.3–22.5) to 24.9?kg/m2 (24.6–25.1) in women. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes increased from 3.4% (1.5–6.3) to 8.5% (6.5–10.8) in men, and from 4.1% (2.0–7.5) to 8.9% (6.9–11.2) in women. Estimates in northern and southern regions were mostly higher than the global average; those in central, eastern and western regions were lower than global averages. A positive association (correlation coefficient ? 0.9) was observed between mean BMI and diabetes prevalence in both sexes in 1980 and 2014.

Conclusions: These estimates, based on limited data sources, confirm the rapidly increasing burden of diabetes in Africa. This rise is being driven, at least in part, by increasing adiposity, with regional variations in observed trends. African countries’ efforts to prevent and control diabetes and obesity should integrate the setting up of reliable monitoring systems, consistent with the World Health Organization’s Global Monitoring System Framework.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1093/ije/dyx078
Uncontrolled keywords:	Diabetes, adiposity, body mass index, Africa, prevalence, trends
Subjects:	R Medicine
Divisions:	Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
Depositing User:	James Bentham
Date Deposited:	15 Nov 2017 14:17 UTC
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2024 11:01 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/64446 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Bentham, James.

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5733-9417
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