Prevalence and factors associated with obesity in Rwanda

Evidence from the 2022 NCD STEPS Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID19593270
AuthorsNshimiyimana Gad (0009-0004-7553-5429, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Bakang Percy Tlhaloganyang (0000-0002-7597-2571, World Bank Group), Jean Claude Habineza (0000-0001-6931-556X, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Niyonsenga Simon Pierre (0000-0001-6779-1896, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Clarisse Musanabaganwa (0000-0002-9006-8310, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Eric Remera (0000-0002-6084-8877, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Amparo Elena Gordillo-Tobar (0000-0001-7453-0424, World Bank Group), Alberto Barceló (0000-0002-5258-6299, University of Miami), Fabrice Iradukunda (0009-0004-6984-1534, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Sincere Josue Ukuri (0009-0000-8614-8097), Ukuri Sincere Josue (Rwanda Biomedical Center), Ntaganda Evariste (Rwanda Biomedical Center), Akandi Pilote (0009-0001-8027-3855, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Igiraneza Pacifique (0000-0002-6241-532X, Rwanda Biomedical Center), Albert Ndagijimana (0000-0002-2883-6374, University of Rwanda), Uwinkindi Francois (Rwanda Biomedical Center), Claude Mambo Muvunyi (0000-0003-4180-442X, Rwanda Biomedical Center)
EditorsZulkarnain Jaafar
Year2026
Volume6
Issue4
Pagese0004736
Publication date2026-04-10
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0004736
PMID41961778
OpenAlexW7153252107
LanguageEN
References cited41

Obesity is an emerging public health concern in Rwanda, yet nationally representative data on its associated factors remain limited. This study analyzes recent survey data to assess the prevalence of obesity and explore associated demographic, behavioral, and metabolic characteristics. The study analyzed data from the 2022 Rwanda NCD STEPS Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional study of 5,509 adults aged 18–69 years. Data collection followed the WHO STEPwise approach and included structured questionnaires, physical measurements, and biochemical tests. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m 2 . Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to estimate crude, age- and sex-adjusted, and fully adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to describe associations between obesity and selected characteristics. The prevalence of obesity in the study population was 4.3% (95% CI: 3.7–5.1%). Obesity was significantly more common among women (APR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.1–8.5) and adults aged 60–69 years (APR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.03–6.9) compared to younger adults. Rural residents had a substantially lower prevalence of obesity than urban residents (APR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.20–0.50). Individuals with primary education (APR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.02–3.0) were more likely to be obese, while individuals earning less than USD 33/month had lower obesity prevalence (APR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2–0.9). Past drinkers (APR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9) and non-heavy drinkers (APR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9) had lower obesity prevalence compared to non-drinkers. Hypertension remained significantly associated with obesity (APR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.5). Obesity in Rwanda was significantly associated with sex, age, residence, education, income, alcohol use, and hypertension. Interventions should prioritize older women in urban areas and integrate education-sensitive strategies, alcohol-related risk reduction, and hypertension management into obesity prevention programs

Body mass index · Confidence interval · Obesity · Overweight · Poisson regression · Population · Public health · Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins · Dietary Effects on Health · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

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