Social, Economic, and Behavioural Factors Associated with Overweight among Women of Reproductive Age Attending Gihundwe District Hospital, Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are growing public health concerns globally, particularly among women of reproductive age. In 2016, approximately 39% of adults worldwide were overweight, and 13% were obese. In Sub-Saharan Africa, overweight prevalence increased from 28.4% in 2000 to 41.7% in 2016. In Rwanda, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women aged 15 to 49 years reached 26% in 2019 to 2020. This study assessed the social, economic, and behavioural factors associated with overweight among women of reproductive age attending Gihundwe District Hospital in Western Rwanda.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2025 among 198 women aged 15–49 years attending Gihundwe District Hospital. Participants were consecutively recruited from outpatient and antenatal care clinics. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using World Health Organization criteria, and overweight was defined as BMI ≥25 kg/m². Pregnant women were excluded to avoid bias related to pregnancy-related weight gain. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 30. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overweight. Statistical significance was set at P<.05.
Results: The prevalence of overweight among participants was 26.8% (53/198). Bivariate analysis revealed significant association between overweight and sedentary lifestyle (P=.023), monthly income (P=.0016), employment status (P=.031), and food affordability (P=.028). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, sedentary lifestyle, higher monthly income, formal employment, and food affordability remained significant independent predictors of overweight.
Conclusion: Overweight among women of reproductive age attending Gihundwe District Hospital was significantly associated with socioeconomic and behavioural lifestyle factors, particularly sedentary lifestyle, higher income, formal employment, and food affordability. Community-based interventions promoting physical activity and healthy dietary practices are recommended to reduce overweight and related non-communicable diseases among women in Rwanda.