Nigeria

Study Site: Abuja, Nigeria Institution: Department of Research, Institute of Human Virology, Abuja, Nigeria
Principal Investigator: Dr. Clement Adebamowo
Co-Investigator: Dr. Sally Akarolo-Anthony

Nigeria at a Glance

Area: 923,768 sq km
Population: 177,155,754
Median age: total: 18.2 years
Urban population: 49.6% of total population
Life expectancy: male: 51.63 yr ; female: 53.66 yr
Diabetes prevalence: 3.7 million cases, 4.6% (national prevalence)
Per capita GDP: $2,800
Language: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

Diet
The major dietary carbohydrate sources in Nigeria have traditionally included roots and tubers, usually prepared as fufu, which is a pounded mixed meal of starchy vegetables consumed with varied side dishes. Fufu is usually made with cassava, yam, plantain, corn, wheat, or rice. Other traditional foods (fufu) remain common, but variation exists among regions for staple preferences.

Publications

Owolabi MO, Mensah GA, Kimmell PL, Adu D, Ramsay M, Waddy SP, Ovbiagele B, Rabada-Diehl C, Rasooly R, Akarolo-Anthony SN, Rotimi C, H3Africa Consortium. Understanding the rise in cardiovascular diseases in Africa: harmonising H3Africa genomic epidemiological teams and tools. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa. 2014;25(3):134-136.
Akarolo-Anthony S, Adebamowo CA. Prevalence and correlates of leisure-time physical activity among Nigerians. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:529.
Akarolo-Anthony S, Willett WC, Spiegelman D, and Adebamowo CA. Obesity epidemic has emerged among Nigerians. BMC Public Health. 2014; 14:455.
Akarolo-Anthony S, Odubore FO, Yilme S, Aragbada O, Odonye G, Hu FB, Willett WC, Spiegelman D , Adebamowo CA. Pattern of dietary carbohydrate intake in urbanized adult Nigerians. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 2013 May; 64(3):292-9.

Participants at a focus group discussion on replacement of white with brown rice in diets

A new “swallow” developed by the Nigerian team featuring whole grains and low glycemic index components

Wazabia whole grain fufu, crafted at the Harvard School of Public Health by Drs. Donna Spiegelman and Sally Akarolo-Anthony

Sources:

The World Factbook, 2013-2014. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.

IDF Diabetes Atlas, 6th Edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2014.

Akarolo-Anthony SN, Odubore FO, Yilme S, Aragbada O, Odonye G, Hu F, Willett W, Spiegelman D, Adebamowo CA (2013): Pattern of dietary carbohydrate intake among urbanized adult Nigerians. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 64:292-299.