Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obesity and overweight are major public health threat affecting many people globally. This study aimed to examine the role of nutrition knowledge (NK), attitude, practices, and dietary diversity (DD) on the prevalence of obesity among market women in Cape Coast, Ghana. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Abura and Kotokuraba markets in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Apparently healthy female traders (n = 402) aged ≥18 years were selected randomly from the markets. DD was assessed with dietary diversity score (DDS) using a 24h dietary recall method. NK, dietary practices, and attitudes were assessed using validated semistructured questionnaires. Body composition parameters were assessed using appropriate tools. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 31.84% and obesity was 39.30%. Majority of respondents had poor DD as about 91% had DDS <5. About 75% of the market women had no knowledge in nutrition. About 57% eat thrice daily and 82% take supper from 7 p.m. Knowledge in nutrition was significantly associated with body fat (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.26-0.78, p = 0.004), body mass index (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.28-0.71, p = 0.001), and waist-to-hip ratio (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.19-0.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity and overweight was high among the market women. Poor NK and poor DD may have influenced this. A campaign on better dietary practices and delivery of nutrition education may help to minimize the prevalence of obesity among market women.