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Effect of Community-Based Obesity Prevention Programmes on Healthy Weight Management Practices among Adults in Nigeria

Abstract

Obesity is an increasing public health concern because excessive body weight is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, musculoskeletal problems, and other chronic health conditions. Among adults in Nigeria, changing dietary patterns, physical inactivity, urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and increased availability of energy-dense foods may contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Community-based obesity prevention programmes provide an opportunity to address these factors through health education, physical activity promotion, dietary counselling, behavioural support, and community engagement. Such programmes may improve adults' knowledge and practical ability to adopt sustainable weight-management practices within their local environments. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of community-based obesity prevention programmes on healthy weight management practices among adults in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Social Ecological Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Health Belief Model. The Social Ecological Model emphasizes the interaction between individual, interpersonal, community, environmental, and policy factors in shaping healthy weight-related behaviours. Social Cognitive Theory explains how self-efficacy, observational learning, behavioural reinforcement, social support, and environmental influences may affect adults' adoption and maintenance of healthy eating and physical activity practices. The Health Belief Model explains how perceptions of obesity-related health risks, perceived severity, perceived benefits of prevention, perceived barriers, and cues to action may influence participation in weight-management activities. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how community-based obesity prevention programmes may influence healthy weight management practices among adults in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise adults aged 18 years and above residing in selected urban, semi-urban, and rural communities across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, communities, households, and eligible participants. Community-based obesity prevention programmes will be assessed using indicators such as availability of community health education, dietary counselling, physical activity sessions, weight-management education, behavioural support, community exercise programmes, nutrition demonstrations, weight-monitoring activities, peer-support groups, programme frequency, duration, accessibility, and participant coverage. Healthy weight management practices will be assessed using indicators such as regular physical activity, balanced dietary practices, portion control, reduced intake of sugary drinks and energy-dense foods, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular weight monitoring, appropriate meal planning, reduced sedentary behaviour, adequate sleep, and adoption of sustainable weight-management strategies. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, validated dietary and physical activity instruments, anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, body mass index, and waist circumference, community programme attendance records, and relevant health programme documents. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participants' characteristics, exposure to obesity prevention programmes, anthropometric measurements, and weight-management practices. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of community-based obesity prevention programmes on healthy weight management practices. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, weight-management practice scores and anthropometric indicators before and after the intervention may be compared with those of a comparison group to determine changes associated with the programme. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that community-based obesity prevention programmes have a significant positive effect on healthy weight management practices among adults in Nigeria. Adults exposed to structured community-based interventions are expected to demonstrate improved dietary practices, increased physical activity, better portion control, reduced sedentary behaviour, greater awareness of healthy weight management, and more regular monitoring of body weight. Community exercise sessions, nutrition education, practical food demonstrations, peer support, and regular follow-up may strengthen participants' confidence and ability to maintain healthy behaviours. The programmes may also improve awareness of the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases and encourage early adoption of preventive practices. However, food prices, limited access to healthy foods, unsafe environments for physical activity, demanding work schedules, cultural food preferences, low household income, limited programme resources, and inadequate community support may reduce programme effectiveness. The study therefore expects accessible, culturally appropriate, practical, and sustained community-based obesity prevention programmes to contribute significantly to improved healthy weight management practices among adults in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on community-based obesity prevention, healthy weight management, adult nutrition, physical activity, obesity prevention, non-communicable disease prevention, community health, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state ministries of health, local government health authorities, community health workers, nutritionists, fitness and health-promotion organizations, non-governmental organizations, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for preventing obesity and promoting healthy weight management. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for expanding community-based nutrition and physical activity programmes, integrating obesity prevention into primary healthcare and community health services, improving access to safe physical activity opportunities, strengthening community health education, promoting affordable healthy diets, and developing sustainable weight-management programmes across Nigeria.

Keywords: Community-based obesity prevention, healthy weight management practices, adults, obesity prevention, nutrition education, physical activity, weight management, non-communicable disease prevention, community health, Nigeria, public health.