THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY IN A MIGRANT POPULATION LIVING IN CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Background and objectives: Rural-Urban migration is known as a major factor associated with the increase of obesity prevalence in many countries. In Morocco, obesity prevalence is higher in cities. In this study, we assessed the influence of ethnicity and migration, through urbanity degree, on obesity prevalence variation, between the ethnic group of Soussi (native of the rural zone of Souss region) and Casablanca in Morocco. Methods: We used a multi-stratified sampling including 615 subjects (305 subjects recruited in metropolitan Casablanca and 310 from the Souss region). The sampling was based on ethnicity, sex and age. We measured anthropometric parameters, using (i) body mass index (BMI), based on cut-off points recommended by the WHO, and (ii) body fat percentage (BF%), based on cut-off points taken from tables provided in the user's manual of a BIA meter (i.e., a bioelectrical impedance device). Results: Obesity prevalence is greater in women than in men (22.5% vs. 19.8%). Women also presented an AO and a higher %BF risk than men (77.6% vs. 33.4% and 71.2% vs. 60.4%, respectively). Adjusted analysis of our data indicated that, in comparison with rural Soussi, the AO is significantly greater in the second generation migrants group (51.0%, OR=0.33, 95%CI [0.17-0.64], p