Relationship of anthropometric indices of obesity with the Big Five personality traits and cognition among undergraduate students

Background: Obesity is associated with personality and cognition. The association remains to be investigated in the African population. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and the relationship between anthropometric indices of obesity, personality traits, and cognition among undergraduate students in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five (males = 94 and females = 161) undergraduates (17–30 years old) were recruited for the study. Anthropometric indices were measured according to the STEPwise protocol of the World Health Organization. Personality traits were assessed using the Big Five Personality Inventory, whereas cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool. Results: The mean age of the patients was 23 years. The prevalence rates of central obesity and general obesity were 26.3% and 1.6%, respectively. Waist circumference (WC) ( r = 0.14, P = 0.025) and hip circumference (HC) ( r = 0.126, P = 0.045) were positively correlated with neuroticism. However, WC ( r = −0.138, P = 0.028), HC ( r = −0.138, P = 0.028), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ( r = −0.156, P = 0.011) were negatively correlated with naming (a component of MoCA) while WHtR was negatively correlated with MoCA (r = −0.126, P = 0.044). After adjusting for age, sex, and marital status, WC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.679 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.456–1.011]; P = 0.050), HC (OR = 1.414 [95% CI: 1.007–1.986]; P = 0.045), and waist-to-hip ratio (OR = 1357 [95% CI: 6.524–28248]; P = 0.039) were significant predictors of low MoCA score. Conclusion: The prevalence of central obesity among our participants was high and associated with neuroticism and poor cognition.