Prevalence of obesity and associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in Morocco

In Morocco, the association between obesity/overweight and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors is poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate this association in a representative sample of the Moroccan population aged 18 years and above. This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including demographic, socio-economic and physical activity items. Height and weight were measured and BMI was computed. The association between obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) or overweight (25.0 ≤ BMI < 29.9 kg/m2) and the other variables was analysed using multiple binomial logistic regression, separately in men and women. The whole Moroccan territory. A total of 2891 subjects took part in the survey (1430 men and 1461 women). The prevalence of obesity was 20.9 % in women and 6.0 % in men (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of overweight was 32.9 % in women v. 26.8 % in men (P < 0.0001). In women, the risk of obesity and overweight increased with age, with the highest risk being in individuals aged 45-54 years (OR = 3.02, 95 % CI 2.06, 4.44) compared to individuals