Background: In developing countries overweight and obesity is a neglected public health threat. Different policies are implemented to tackle undernutrition, but almost nothing has been done to halt the growing burden of overweight and obesity despite their contribution to many chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age (15-49 years) in Rwanda.



Method: cross-sectional secondary data from Rwanda demographic and health survey collected in 2010 were used for analysis. The dependent variable was body mass index (BMI) coded in binary outcome: normal weight (BM ≤ 25kg/m2) and overweight/obesity (BMI≥ 25kg/m2). Logistic regression model was computed to identify factors associated with overweight and obesity.



Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among women in Rwanda is 15.6%. women living in urban area are at high risk of being overweight (p< o. o5). Non-manual occupations were associated with being overweight/obese (p< o. o5). Women with high economic status were more overweight (p<0.05). Being affiliated to protestant religion was a risk factor of being overweight (p< 0.05). Having a husband with low education was associated to overweight/obesity.



Conclusion: To prevent a heavy explosion of nutrition problems in the next generation in developing countries, policymakers have to consider overweight/obesity as public health threats that need urgent attention. This action will give opportunity to adolescent girls and young women to change their lifestyle that put them at high risk of being overweight/obese.