Factors associated with abdominal obesity in adults with normal BMI in Gombe Matadi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background Abdominal obesity is a growing public health issue, even among individuals with a body mass index (BMI) considered normal. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify factors associated with abdominal obesity among adults with a normal BMI in Gombe Matadi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods This study is based on a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2019 in Gombe Matadi. Among the 1,531 adults in the initial study, 1,039 with a normal body mass index were retained for this analysis. Sampling was carried out using a probabilistic cluster method in the first study, but here, according to convenience, anthropometric measurements as well as sociodemographic and behavioral variables were retained. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 25.0 software, using multivariate logistic regression. Results The study highlights a 14.8% prevalence of abdominal obesity among adults with a normal body mass index. Several factors were identified as being significantly associated with this condition, including female gender, age under 40, and a higher level of education. Furthermore, certain health behaviors such as smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and a history of high blood pressure also appear to play a determining role. Conclusions Body mass index alone is not effective in identifying abdominal obesity in adults. It is essential to integrate waist circumference measurement into diagnosis and screening to better assess risks associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.