Background

The population of pensioners is progressively increasing. In the developing world, the elderly population is seen to represent the fastest growing segment of the population [1]. In the year 2015, Ghana’s population of the elderly aged 60 years and above was 5.3% and it is expected to reach 9.7% by 2050 [2]. The 2010 Global Burden of Disease attributed 23.1% of total disease burden to disorders in people aged 60 years and above and it is expected to increase with population aging [3, 4]. The elderly are faced with social, economic and medical problems with very few elderly living a disease free life [3].

Clinical pathways regarding obesity and its associated factors depict a dual relationship. First obesity as a risk factor for certain disease and secondly as an outcome of several other genetic, behavioral, socioeconomic and environmental factors [5]. As a risk factor, overweight and obesity increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems [6,7,8]. It also increase the risk for depression, some cancers, insomnia and chronic fatigue [9, 10]. Obesity is associated with deterioration of health related quality of life and increased mortality [11,12,13]. Epidemiological studies investigating the effect of obesity and overweight on elderly patient survival reports a reverse epidemiology termed as obesity paradox in geriatric population [14,15,16].

In the year, 2010, the burden of disease attributed to high body mass index was estimated at 94 million disability-adjusted life-years [4]. Despite the problems of obesity in the elderly, health research in the developing countries has been and continues to be heavily centered on younger and working population groups [17]. Globally there is an increasing trend in obesity among all age group [18]. In the year 2008, an estimated 1.4 billion adults were overweight of which about 500 million were obese [4, 5]. Six years after and in the year 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults representing 39% of adults aged 18 years and older were overweight of which over 600 million were obese [9]. It is projected that by the year 2030, there will be 2.16 billion overweight and 1.12 billion obese persons alive globally [19]. The global prevalence of obesity among male and female aged 60–64 year old is estimated at 13 and 19% respectively [20].

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in Ghana reported a nationwide prevalence of Obesity and overweight as 17.1% and 25.4% respectively [21]. The World Health Organization Study on global Aging and adult health (SAGE), wave one reported a prevalence of obesity or overweight among the elderly as 30% [22]. Prevalence of Obesity and overweight among pensioners in Ghana is however lacking.

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight among the pensioners in Ghana. It also seeks to identify the factors associated with obesity and overweight among the pensioners in Ghana. The study reported on the prevalence of obesity within different strata of the pensioner population. It also reported on several socio-demographic as well as medical factors associated with obesity and overweight.

Methods

Study design

A cross sectional study was conducted in all ten regional capitals of Ghana among the members of the National pensioners association (NPA). The survey was conducted as part of a registration exercise for all members of the National Pensioners association for the start of a Pensions Medical Scheme (PMS). It took place from April to December of 2014. All the members of the national pensioners association converge at the registration/medical screening within the days of the screening. The medical screening in each of the regions took place in the regional capitals of the respective regions. Participants were made to rest for at least 15 min, after which they go through the medical screening exercise.

Study population and eligibility criteria

The study subjects were registered pensioners. Ghana’s mandatory retirement age is 60 years. However, there were some participants below 60 years who have retired before the retirement age of 60 years due to disability and other reasons thereby qualifying as a pensioner. Within the study period, 4813 members of the national pensioners association presented for the medical screening. Participant must be a member of the National Pensioners association and must be resident in Ghana.

Sample size and sampling method

A census of all the participants within the selected sites was the target. Members of the National pensioners association resident in the regional capital of the respective region and their surrounding towns and villages were eligible.

Study materials and data capture tool

Study questionnaires were made to record socio-demographic data of participants. It had a section on past medical history collecting information on known past medical history. It further collected information on allergies, alcohol, smoking, exercise and diet. There was a physical examination form attached, which was used to capture data of the physical examination conducted by medical officers. Weight was measured with a weighing scale and height with a stadiometer. The Blood pressure was measured using standardized electronic sphygmomanometer with appropriate cuff sizes. Visual acuity was checked using a Snelling chart. Blood sample was taken and a glucometer was used to measure the random blood sugar. Blood sample was collected into a serum separator bottle and transported to a laboratory for measurement of serum cholesterol using automated and standardized techniques.

Data collection

Trained research assistants fill the questionnaire based on the response of the study participants. The weight was measured with the weighing scale to the nearest one-kilogram while the height to the nearest one millimeter. Medical officers perform physical examination while the eye team checked the vision and performed fundoscopy. Personalized reports of the medical screening were made available to each participant.

Data processing and analysis

The data generated in the research were entered into Epidata 3.1 and exported into STATA/MP 11.0 (copyright 2004–2009) for analysis. The primary outcome in the study was overweight and Obesity. With regard to social class, participants previous occupation was classified under various social class heading according to the registrar general’s occupational classification of England and wales. The background characteristics of the respondents were obtained by cross tabulation. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with obesity. First, the association between each of the potential factors and overweight/obesity was examined ignoring other variables. This analysis was important because it gave a fair idea as to which of the variables were strong predictors/related to overweight and obesity. Second, to construct a model with factors that are independently associated with overweight and obesity, each of the independent variable was a candidate provided that the p-value was 0.05 or less. Three models were reported. In model A: religion, region of residence, ethnic background and marital status were locked in the model and therefore adjusted for. Model B adjusted for age, sex, highest formal education, social class and all the variables adjusted for in model A whiles model C adjusted for all variables adjusted for in model A, plus all other variables in the table.

Ethical considerations

Review and approval was obtained from the National Pensioners Association board. The board further monitored each step of the data collection process. Members of the National Pensioners association gave the consent to participate. The content of the medical screening exercise was developed in extensive consultation with the executives of the National Pensioners Association. Consent was voluntary and each study participant had the right to withdraw at any stage of the study process. Uttermost privacy and confidentiality were maintained. No compensation or payments were made to any study participants. However examination findings were explained to participants. Personalized results of the study were sent to each participant. Data files were password protected. Hard copies were stored in locked file cabinets, and access was limited to the Principal investigator.

Results

Background characteristics of study participants

Table 1 displays the background characteristics of the study participants. 4476 of the 4813 members of the national pensioners association that presented at the thirteen centers across the country took part in the study. This translates to an overall response rate of 93.0%. The mean weight of all participants was 66.7Kg (SD 13.2 kg). Females (69.3, SD = 14 Kg) were heavier compared to their male (65.6, SD 12.8) counterparts. The males were however taller compared to the females; the mean height and standard deviations of males and female pensioners were 165.7 CM (SD = 7.6) and 157.2 CM (SD = 7.0) respectively.

Table 1 Background characteristics of 4813 study participants
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BMI of the females were higher compared to males: 28.1Kg/M2 (SD = 5.5) and 23.9 Kg/M2 (SD = 4.3) respectively. The mean age of participants was 67.2 years (SD = 5.4). The males were older compared to females with mean ages of 68.0 (SD 5.60 and 65.5 (SD = 4.4) respectively. Also the obese and overweight group were comparatively younger compared to the normal and underweight group. The mean age of the obese and overweight group was 62.2 (SD = 4.9) while the underweight and normal age group was 68.1 (SD = 5.7).

With regards to serum lipids, the mean total cholesterol for all study participants was 4.90 mmol/L (SD = 1.24). Females as well as obese and overweight participants had higher total cholesterol compared to males. The mean systolic blood pressure, the mean diastolic blood pressure and the mean arterial blood pressure was the same among the male and female participants. Both males and females had mean systolic blood pressure of 146 (SD = 26) mmHg and a mean diastolic blood pressure of 79 (SD = 16) mmHg.

Prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight and obesity among pensioners in Ghana

Table 2 displays the prevalence of obesity, overweight, normal and underweight among the pensioners in Ghana. Overall, 16.3% of the pensioners were obese while 30.0% were overweight. Majority of the pensioners accounting for 47.7% were within normal BMI weight classification. 6.0% of the participants were underweight as shown in Table 2. Prevalence of obesity was lower among the males pensioners compare to that of the females. Males had an obesity prevalence of 8.0% while the prevalence among the females was 34.5%. Likewise the prevalence of overweight among the females was higher than that among the males accounting for 35.1% and 27.6% respectively. With regard to age, the prevalence of obesity decreases with increasing age. Pensioners aged less than 65 had the highest prevalence of obesity (20.6%) and it decreases among the ages group such that the prevalence of obesity among the above 80 years population is about 3.1%. Similarly, overweight shows a decreasing prevalence relationship with increasing age as shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight and Obesity among pensioners in Ghana, stratified by socio-demographic factors
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The prevalence of obesity and overweight stratified by some common medical conditions and other medically related conditions is as shown in Table 3. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among known hypertensive patients (23.0%) compared to non-hypertensive patients (10.4%). Similarly there was a higher prevalence of obesity among known diabetics (24.6%) compared to non-diabetics (15.2%). Also with regards to total serum cholesterol measurement, pensioners with total serum cholesterol lower or equal to 6.18 mmol/L (239 mg/dL) had lower prevalence of obesity (14.7%) compared to pensioners with total serum cholesterol greater than 6.18 mmol/L (239 mg/dL) where the prevalence of obesity was 25.7%. The prevalence of obesity and overweight is lower among alcoholics and smokers.

Table 3 Prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight and Obesity among pensioners in Ghana, stratified by some medical and other medical related factors
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Factors associated with obesity and overweight among the pensioners in Ghana

Table 4 displays the crude odd ratio of logistic regression. Females were about four times (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 3.6–4.7) more likely to be obese/overweight. There was a gradual decrease in the odds of being obese /overweight with increasing age. Age range 65–69 years had an odds ratio of 0.7 (95% CI 0.6–0.9) whiles age group 80 and above was found to be about 70% protective from being overweight or obese (OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.2–0.5). The professional social class made up previous occupation of nurses, doctors, lawyers etc., whilst in active service, had the highest odds of being overweight or obese with an odds ratio of 5.6 (95% CI 4.2–7.6).

Table 4 Crude odds ratio of independent socio-demographic factors associated with overweight and obesity among pensioners in Ghana
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With respect to marital status, being widowed/widower or divorced was associated with the highest odds of being obese/overweight compared to the other marital status. Being widow/widower was associated with an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI = 0.9–2.4). Being divorced is also associated with an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI = 0.9–2.6). With respect to highest educational level, the study found out that, the higher the educational level, the higher the odds of being obese/overweight. Pensioners who were educated up to the tertiary level had an odds ratio 3.0 (95% CI = 2.4–3.8) of being obese/overweight. Across the various ethnic groupings in Ghana, being a Ga-Dangme was associated with the highest odds of being obese/overweight (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.4–3.0).

Table 5 displays the crude odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for the association of obesity/overweight with the medically related factors. Hypertensive pensioners had 2.6 times the odds of being obese/overweight compared to non-hypertensive pensioners (95% CI = 2.3–2.9). Diabetics were associated with higher odds of being obese/overweight, OR = 2.5 (95% CI = 2.0–2.0) compared to non-diabetics. Other factors associated with high odds of being overweight or obese includes; Serum triglyceride level 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) and above (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.0–3.3), the use of eye glasses to aid vision (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 2.0–2.6), total serum cholesterol level above 6.18 mmol/L or 239 mg/dL (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.6–2.3), History of arthritis (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.3–1.8) and history of allergies (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.4–2.0). Also vegetarianism was protective with an odds ratio of 0.6 (95% CI = 0.4–0.9).

Table 5 Table showing Crude odds ratio of independent medically related factors associated with overweight and obesity among pensioners in Ghana
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Table 6 displays the odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals and p-values obtained in three models. Adjusting for all other variables as found in model C, the female pensioners were associated with three times the odds of being obese/overweight compared to the male pensioners. Hypertensive pensioners had 1.8 times the odds (95% CI = 1.5–2.0) of being obese/overweight. Among the serum lipids, triglycerides levels of 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or more, was most associated with obesity and overweight among the pensioners. Pensioners with serum triglyceride level of 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) were associated with 1.8 times the odds of being obese/overweight compared to those with triglyceride levels below 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). Arthritis was more common among the obese/overweight group compared to the normal/underweight pensioners. Also the use of eyeglasses in the elderly was associated with increased odds of obesity and overweight (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3–2.2).

Table 6 Adjusted odds ratio for factors independently associated with Obesity and overweight by models
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Discussion

Prevalence of obesity

The high prevalence of obesity among females compared to males have been well documented and consistently found in many studies involving African and African-American women [23, 24]. The number of females in the study was low compared to the males. This is contrary to what was reported in the 2010 census, special report on the elderly where 51.2% were females and 48.8% were males [8]. Majority of the women in Ghana works in the informal sector and many end up as house wives with no formal social security or pension scheme. Most of them do not form part of the national pensioners association [25]. We believe the women in our study had a higher social class and economic status compared to the average Ghanaian elderly woman. This we believe contributed to the exaggerated difference in the prevalence of obesity among the female and male pensioners in Ghana. Also, the established higher percentage body fat in women compare to men may play a part [26].

Factors associated with obesity

With regards to factors associated with obesity and overweight, the study found out that age has an inverse relationship with BMI. Obesity and overweight are associated with high morbidity [13, 27] and mortality and as such the obese individuals were more likely to have died leaving low prevalence of obesity across the age groups. Some studies actually found excess death associated with obesity and overweight in the elderly population [28].

Physical exercise 30 min or more three times per-week was associated with obesity in the elderly. It could be explained that the proportion of the elderly likely to be currently involved in routine physical exercise were those that were obese aiming at weight reduction. Secondly, physical exercise by the elderly is likely to be grossly limited by diseases associated with old age. Smoking appears to be protective for obesity among the pensioners, it could be explained that, smokers were more at risk of malnutrition and underweight. Also, smokers were at risk to cancers and certain diseases conditions that can result in wasting and hence the impression of smoking being protective against obesity/overweight.

We observed significant variations across the regions and ethnic groups in the country. The greater Accra region of Ghana had the highest prevalence of obesity whiles the upper west region had the least prevalence of Obesity. Accra, the capital of Ghana located within the greater Accra region has the most infrastructural and economic development in the country. Socio-economic variation across the regions may play a role in the observed variation in Obesity. Also, among the ethnic groups, the Ga-Dangme people lives within the greater Accra region. Socio-economic factors, lifestyle and family eating habits could play a role in the observed ethnic variations across the country.

Currently there are programs within the Ghana health service seeking to address the growing challenge of obesity and overweight in the country. The ‘good life” initiative of the ministry of health, Ghana health service and its partners seeks among other things to promote healthy lifestyle, responsible eating and exercise which has the potential to help halt the increasing trend of obesity and overweight in the country.

This study suffers some limitations. In the 2010 population and housing report on the elderly in Ghana [8], it was found out that the female elderly population was 56% as oppose to 44% of males which was attributed to higher life expectancy of females than males. However in this study, males constituted 68.3% while females constituted 31.7% of pensioners. This could be explained that, majority of females work in the informal sector of the country and are not members of the national pensioners association. Hence the low proportion of females surveyed in this study, which could introduce a bias when generalizing the results of the study on the pensioners to include the whole elderly population of Ghana. Despite the above limitations, we believe the study has implications in informing evidence based policy formulation and decision making regarding obesity and overweight in Ghana. It will also influence public health intervention on priority areas or regions where interventions are necessary to halt the rising trend of obesity and overweight in the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the prevalence of obesity and overweight among the pensioners is high. Hypertension, Diabetes, dyslipidemia, use of medicated glasses, female sex and professional social class whilst in active service were significantly associated with obesity and overweight. We recommend that the Ghana Health service institute active behavioral change communication and health promotion strategies among the youth and young adults with regard to maintaining an ideal weight so as to reduce the prevalence of obesity and overweight, which is likely to continue in pension life, if not addressed early.