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Introduction: In Tanzania, obesity is regarded as a town problem; but currently the problem is facing the rural community as well. However, the magnitude and determinants of this problem in rural areas are not well known. This study aimed to explore determinants of obesity among rural men aged 18 years and above in Bagamoyo district. Methodology: A cross sectional study design was employed; data were collected from selected health facilities in Bagamoyo district. A Hundred and twenty men patients aged 18 years and above who visited health facilities during the study period were recruited. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Secondary data were obtained from reviewing patient’s registers and files from CTC and Diabetes clinics in Bagamoyo district hospital. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel applications. Results: The findings showed that 41.5% and 31.7% of the obese men were of the age group 40 or above and between 29-39 years respectively. Majority of the obese men were married and cohabiting by 37% and 27% respectively. Over 70% of the obese men earned a monthly incomes ranging from TZS 201,000/= to TZS 300,000/=. Furthermore, 56% of the obese men reported to eat 3 times a day and 24% more than 3 times a day eat starch food like ugali and beans, rice and beans in as lunch and dinner while during morning they eat fried doughnuts or cassava. Beer and soda were highly preferred by obese men by 43.9% and 35% respectively while 34% had drinking habit after working hours. More than 70% of the obese men did not participate in physical activities, 56% reported that they did not have recreational places and 65.9% did not engage in any recreation clubs. In addition, the findings from CTC and Diabetes clinics revealed that overweight and obesity is an indicative of being at risk of co-morbidities. Recommendations: This study strongly recommends that education should be given on how to prevent and control obesity, for example education on eating balanced diet as well education on physical activities. |
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