Obesity, malnutrition, and physical performance in adults aged 55 and over in Cameroon

Obesity prevalence is increasing in all age groups, including older adults. In this population, obesity can mask age-related malnutrition, which in turn exacerbates physical performance decline. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among older adults in Cameroon and to assess its association with nutritional status (malnutrition) and physical performance. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted among individuals aged 55 years and over, affiliated with a mutual health insurance company in Cameroon. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment, with the risk of malnutrition defined as a score between 17 and 23.5. Physical performance was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, scored from 0 to 12), with low physical performance defined as an SPPB ≤ 9. After univariate analyses, multivariate regression was used to determine the factors independently associated with obesity. 403 individuals (median age 67.0 (IQR; 63.0, 71.0) years) were included. Obesity prevalence was 36.2% (95% CI: [31.5 − 41.1]). Participants with obesity had a slightly lower median age than those without obesity (66 vs. 67 years), and were predominantly female (61%), more likely to live alone (50.7%), and hypertensive (37.7%). In multivariate analysis, physical performance (aOR = 0.74; 95% CI: [0.59 − 0.93]) was independently associated with obesity. An association with the risk of malnutrition was also observed (aOR = 0.063; 95% CI: [0.00 − 0.32]), although this estimate was based on very few cases and should be interpreted with caution. This study highlights the high prevalence of obesity in the Cameroonian population aged over 55. Obesity can coexist with malnutrition in the same individual, thereby impairing physical performance. Prospective cohort studies are now needed to confirm these findings and identify the associated factors.