Large Body Size as a Socially Valued Factor Determining Excess Weight and Obesity in the Context of the Nutritional Transition in Senegal

Overview & Synopsis

Like most African countries, Senegal is experiencing a nutritional transition. Global drivers of sedentary behavior and high-calorie dietary intake, together with local anthropological drivers of large body size as a socially valued characteristic could be exposing the population to obesity. This study therefore set out to assess the impact of this sociocultural factor on the nutritional status of Senegalese adults. We set up 14 focus groups (n=84 participants) and a cross-sectional quantitative survey (n=313 women; n=284 men) of adults in three different socio-ecological areas in Senegal (rural: n=204; suburban: n=206; urban: n=187). We also assessed perceptions of body weight (Body Size Scale) and weight status (anthropometric measures). Middle-aged and older Senegalese people value excess weight more than younger Senegalese in all the areas studied. Being female, older, living in urban/suburban areas and valuing excess weight/obesity were independently associated with being overweight/ obese. A higher socioeconomic status was also associated with being overweight/obese. A nutritional transition is under way in Senegal in urban/suburban areas, particularly affecting older urban women, with specific cultural factors contributing to this phenomenon. This suggests a need for local measures targeting women and is accounted for by specific anthropological characteristics in the Senegalese population.