Burden and factors associated with body fat and visceral obesity among adults attending referral hospitals in Douala, Cameroon

Although body mass index (BMI) is widely used to classify obesity, it does not distinguish adiposity from lean mass or provide information on fat distribution. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived body fat (BF) and visceral fat (VF) measurements may offer complementary information for identifying individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk. We analyzed the prevalence and associated factors of BIA-based adipose obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroonian individuals. The overall prevalence of obesity was 27.1%, 46.2%, and 28.8% using BMI, BF, and VF, respectively. Discrepancies were noted between BMI, BF, and VF for identifying obese people. The strongest risk factors of BF-related obesity were BMI ≥ 30 Kg.m − 2 (aOR = 25.32, p < 0.0001) and university level (aOR = 3.97, p = 0.02), while being male (aOR = 4.68, p < 0.0001), advanced age (aOR = 2.01 to 3.25, p < 0.05), university level (aOR = 4.14, p = 0.04), and BMI ≥ 30 Kg.m − 2 (aOR = 4.38, p < 0.0001) were the strongest risk factors for high VF levels. This study outlined a high burden of adipose obesity and the need to implement preventive strategies to reduce its burden in Douala.