Sociodemographic, behavioral, and dietary determinants associated with the metabolically healthy profile in a cohort of pre-obese and obese Cameroonians: a cross-sectional study

This study aims to explore the association between certain sociodemographic, behavioral, and dietary determinants and the metabolically healthy profile in a cohort of pre-obese and obese Cameroonians. A cross-sectional, analytic study was conducted on a cohort of 324 Cameroonians of pre-obese and obese Bamiléké ethnicity resident in the West region of Cameroon from 2016 to 2017. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic, behavioral, and dietary data of each participant. Participants' clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters were assessed. Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify relevant determinants that may be associated with the metabolically healthy profile. The results showed that 33.30 % of men and 28.07 % of women who were pre-obese and obese had a metabolically healthy profile. Participants with a metabolically healthy profile were distinguished nutritionally by dietary fiber intakes of 20.11 ± 0.79 g/day, vitamin C of 120.47 ± 13.68 mg/day, and sodium of 456.99 ± 10.96 mg/day. The multivariate regression analysis showed younger age (OR = 0.16; 95 % CI: 0.08–0.33), profession of unemployed (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.17-0.66), low socioeconomic level (OR = 0.33; 95 % CI: 0.18–0.55), moderate level of physical activity (OR = 0.39; 95 % CI: 0.20–0.77) or high physical activity (OR = 0.08; 95 % CI: 0.04–0.16), not eating street food (OR = 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.26–0.81), and frequency of vegetable consumption ≥3 times/week (OR = 0.42; 95 % CI: 0.24–0.71) were determinants associated with a metabolically healthy profile in this pre-obese and obese population. These results highlight the importance of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, as well as the need to raise awareness among the Cameroonian population about socio-economic and behavioral factors affecting cardiometabolic health. • 33.3 % of men and 28.1 % of women pre-obese/obese had a metabolically healthy profile. • Young age, celibacy, and low socioeconomic status are linked to a healthy profile. • Physical activity, vegetables, and avoiding street food are linked to a healthy profile. • A healthy profile is linked to a good intake of fiber, vitamin C, and adequate sodium. • Targeting social, behavioral, and dietary factors to delay the unhealthy profile.