Comorbidities among overweight and obese adult patients seen at the General Outpatient Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are major global health concerns, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. They are key risk factors for numerous non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. This study aimed to identify the common comorbidities associated with overweight and obesity among adult patients attending the General Outpatient Clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 385 overweight and obese adults aged 18–60 years. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations (fasting blood glucose and lipid profile) were obtained. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0.

Results: Of the 385 questionnaires distributed, 380 were fully completed and analyzed (response rate: 98.7%). The identified comorbidities associated with overweight and obesity, in descending order, were: abnormal LDL (66.3%), hypertension (58.2%), hypercholesterolemia (52.6%), joint arthropathies (46.8%), erectile dysfunction (32.4%), fertility problems (30.3%), raised triglycerides (26.6%), diabetes mellitus (12.4%), and abnormal HDL (3.9%). Only osteoarthritis/arthropathies showed a statistically significant association with overweight/obesity (χ² = 4.901, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Osteoarthritis/arthropathy was the identified comorbidity significantly associated with overweight and obesity in this population. Public health efforts should promote healthier diets and active lifestyles to prevent obesity-related comorbidities.