Abstract:

This project focused on the awareness and prevalence level of obesity among adolescent and adults in Ajara community, Badagry local government area of Lagos State Nigeria. The project was carried out employing a simple survey method and random sampling technique as sampling and data collection tools. Height and weight of study participants were measured to calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI). The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of obesity using BMI was then used to determine the obesity status. A simple pre tested questionnaire was also used to collate information on the awareness of obesity from the respondent. The result shows that about one tenth (13.5%) of the study population were obese, more than half (53.9%) were aware that obesity can lead to death however majorities (90.8%) have not done any test to check their obesity status. The prevalence level (13.5%) from this study is in agreement with the 12% prevalence rate reported by Nkwoka I.J, Egua M.O, et al (2014) as well as within the range of 8.1% - 22.2% defined by Chukwuonye I.I, ChukuA.et al in 2013.

 Keywords: Obesity, Prevalence, Nigeria.

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