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Background: Abdominal obesity, excess fat around the abdomen, is more harmful than other fat types and is a key diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome. It poses a growing global public health concern. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and determinants of abdominal obesity among adults in southwest Ethiopia., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 624 adults in Semen Bench district, southwest Ethiopia was conducted from May 23 to June 23, 2022. The data was gathered using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The data were analyzed using Stata version 18. A robust Poisson regression was used due to the abdominal obesity prevalence exceeding 10%. Variables with p -values < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable analysis. The adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) and 95% confidence interval were reported to indicate statistical significance and the strength of associations., Results: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 18% (95% CI: 15-21%). After adjusting for confounding variables, the determinants of abdominal obesity included participants aged 31-50 (APR = 3.62, 95% CI: 2.67-8.95) and 51-65 (APR = 3.24, 95% CI: 2.51-8.69), being female (APR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.63-4.98), having a low wealth index (APR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.19-3.76), physical inactivity (APR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.06-4.18), lack of adequate dietary diversity (APR = 3.08, 95% CI: 2.09-6.42), and food insecurity (APR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.82-7.68)., Conclusion: The research revealed that 18% of the participants exhibited abdominal obesity. Factors such as advanced age, being female, having a low wealth index, physical inactivity, insufficient dietary diversity, and food insecurity were identified as contributors to abdominal obesity. Therefore, it is crucial to develop targeted interventions to address modifiable factors, as this can also help prevent the onset of non-communicable chronic diseases associated with abdominal obesity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Yosef, Sebeta, Tekalign, Sisay, Bekele, Tesfaw and Shifera.)

Ethiopia faces a significant challenge with increasing non-communicable diseases like diabetes, ranking among the top four in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a lack of research on how lifestyle affects chronic complications of diabetes in Ethiopia, highlighting the need for urgent exploration to develop better intervention strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the link between lifestyle factors and chronic complications of diabetes in public health hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving 389 diabetes patients from Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH) and Gebretsadik Shawo General Hospital (GSGH) in Southwest Ethiopia was conducted. Data collection methods included interviewer-administered questionnaires, patient medical record reviews, physical examination, and serum analysis. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis, including descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value < 0.05. The study revealed a 32.1% prevalence of chronic complications of diabetes, with 13.4% having chronic kidney disease, 8.0% experiencing visual disturbances, and 16.7% suffering from peripheral sensory pain. After adjusting for confounding variables, age (41-60 years [AOR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.01, 3.15] and > 60 years [AOR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.20, 4.33]), duration of diabetes mellitus (> 6 years [AOR = 2.90; 95% CI 1.74, 4.85]), alcohol consumption [AOR = 2.30; 95% CI 1.33, 3.98], physical inactivity [AOR = 2.43; 95% CI 1.38, 4.27], and body mass index (underweight [AOR = 7.66; 95% CI 1.68, 34.8] and obese [AOR = 3.53; 95% CI 1.84, 10.5]) were significantly associated with chronic complications of diabetes. Chronic complications of diabetes are a major problem in the study area. Lifestyle factors strongly influence chronic diabetes complications, highlighting the importance of preventive measures. Implementing health education and prevention programs focusing on modifiable lifestyle factors is crucial., (© 2024. The Author(s).)