Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Shawn Munford

Abstract

Obesity is known as a risk factor for chronic diseases, and a contributor to health disparities among minorities and vulnerable persons. There is a paucity of data on Nigeria Igbos on obesity risks in the United States; therefore, studying obesity in this population may help policymakers tailor interventions that could reduce the prevalence of obesity. The purpose of the study was to examine the predictors of obesity among Nigerian Igbo immigrants in the United States. This study sought to examine lifestyle, psychosocial, and demographic factors as unique predictors of obesity in Nigeria Igbo immigrants. The social-ecological model and acculturation theory guided this study. Data were collected from 178 participants using approved and validated questionnaires. Logistic regression and Spearman’s correlation were used to analyze data through SPSS. The findings indicated that gender (β = .389, p = .021); daily fruit consumption (β = 0.142, p = .023); and daily meat/burger consumption (β = .410, p = .047) were significant predictors of obesity. Therefore, among the Nigeria Igbo, lifestyle (daily diet) and gender predict obesity but psychosocial (acculturation and perceived stress) did not. The social change implications from the findings of this study may include use by public health workers and policymakers to target interventions to reduce obesity among the Igbo ethnic group living in the United States.

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