Adipose Obesity in Douala, Cameroon: High Burden, Interesting Predictive Potential, but Limited Clinical Utility in the Screening of SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a rising public health concern in Africa, with aggravating effects on several diseases including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed the epidemiology of bioimpedance analysis-based adipose obesity and evaluated its predictive potential and clinical value for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A one-year cross-section study was conducted at seven referral COVID-19 centers in the town of Douala, Cameroon. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were obtained from each participant. Body composition was estimated using body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF), and visceral fat (VF). Results: The adipose obesity was evaluated using BF and VF. 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. VF was a consistent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in women. BF and VF had AUC values < 0.75. Conclusions: This study outlined a high burden of adipose obesity with an interesting predictive potential, especially in women, but a poor clinical utility, for the screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection.