Evaluation of Dietary Habits and Lifestyle on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity in Undergraduate University Students in Cameroon: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome have nowadays a widespread dissemination around the world. Their prevalence is increasing in developing countries, due to modifications in dietary habits and lifestyle. Limited data exist on those issues among school going youths in Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 203 consenting Cameroonian freshmen was conducted at the medical center of the University of Dschang. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile markers were measured using standard procedures. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using a harmonized definition while obesity diagnosis used BMI criterion. Dietary and lifestyle habits were recorded using a questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome were 3.94% and 11.33% respectively. We found strong associations between the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and high frequency of consumption of “Koki” (OR=9.9, 95% CI: 7.09-14.04, P=0.0000), “Achu soup” (OR=7.3, 95% CI: 4.4-12.3, P=0.0000), corn couscous (OR=5.64, 95% CI: 4.34-7.33, P=0.0000), “Ndole” (OR=2.4,95% CI: 1.9-3.05, P=0.0000). Regular consumption of green vegetables is associated with low prevalence of metabolic syndrome (OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.3, P=0.0000). There is also a strong association between prevalence of obesity and high number of meal per day (OR=5.1, 95% CI: 3.07-8.4, P=0.0000) as well as more than 6 hours of TV watching per day (OR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.8-7.09, P=0.0000). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is present in young Cameroonians and is associated to certain dietary and lifestyle habits. Interventions targeting youth may therefore be multiplied with special concern on those dietary and lifestyle issues.