Modernization of a Developing Country: Effect on Body Mass Index

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

Conference Title

American College of Sports Medicine - Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise conference

Organization

American College of Sports Medicine

Location

Orlando, FL

Date of Presentation

5-30-2019

Journal Publication

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

ISSN

0195-9131

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000562109.26435.d2

Volume

51

Issue

6S

First Page

536

Abstract

Modernization provides technology and resources that commonly displace physical activity (PA) from the daily routine; in time, body mass index (BMI) trends upward. Given the host of deleterious consequences precipitated by poor body composition, it may be helpful to isolate specific factors that predict the largest elevations in BMI. Uganda is an appropriate location to evaluate this. Over 5 years, the percentage of women classified as overweight or obese increased from 19% to 24%; men increased from 4% to 9%. During this time, PA underwent considerable change while nutrition was relatively stable. PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of modernization on BMI in Uganda. METHODS: We analyzed the 2016 Demographic and Health Surveys of Uganda, Household Members database. 11,577 subjects met inclusionary criteria. We conducted descriptive statistics to characterize this population, linear regression to examine the effect of modernization on BMI, and logistic regression to test these factors on the odds of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) or obesity (BMI ≥ 30). RESULTS: Mean age was 28.7 ± 10.2 yr; BMI was 22.0 ± 3.7; 16.0% of subjects were either overweight (n=1,405) or obese (n=440). More subjects owned a bicycle (40.6%) than a motorcycle (12.6%) or car (4.3%); more subjects owned mobile phones (79.7%) than computers (4.3%); 28.8% of households had electricity and 16.2% had television. Linear regression (R2=0.160; p<0.001) found BMI to be increased when a household had a refrigerator (β=0.483; p <0.004), electricity (β=0.409; p<0.001) and television (β=0.961; p<0.001). Additionally, ownership of a car (β=0.421; p<0.016) and a mobile phone (β=0.625; p<0.001) predicted increases in BMI, while ownership of a bicycle (β=-0.330; p<0.001) and a land-line phone (β=-0.657; p<0.034) predicted decreases in BMI. Logistic regression (pseudo R2=0.21; p<0.001) found the odds of being overweight or obese increased when a household had electricity (79%; p<0.001) and television (107%; p<0.001). Additionally, ownership of an automobile (41%; p=0.002) and a mobile phone (147%; p<0.001) increased the odds of being overweight or obese. CONCLUSIONS: Specific features of modernization associate with increases in BMI. As developing countries continue their development, public health interventions are warranted to promote the maintenance of PA.

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