Title:
OBESITY, HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURE AND EDUCATION IN BAMENDA MUNICIPALITY-CAMEROON: CONSIDERATIONS FOR CURRICULUM INNOVATION

Authors:
Nubonyin Hilda Fokong and Kinga Bertila Mayin , Cameroon

Abstract:
Obesity is a major risk factor to many non-communicable diseases leading to increase health care expenditures and concerns for curriculum innovations in many countries. Thus, the objectives of this study are: to determine the factors influencing health care expenditure, to investigate the effects of obesity on health care expenditure, to examine the relationship between obesity and education and to discuss implications for curriculum innovation on the basis of the findings. The study was conducted in the Bamenda Municipality of Mezam Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. The survey research design was employed. With the use of questionnaire, primary data was collected from 753 obese and non-obese individuals aged 20 and above. The multiple regression and multinomial logit results revealed that, level of monthly expenditure and education had statistically significant effect on health care expenditure in the Bamenda Municipality. There was insignificant effect of obesity on health care expenditures. Gender and age influenced health care expenditure and majority of those who had attained higher levels of education were non obese as opposed to their obese counterparts. The study argued that, curriculum innovation focusing on reducing obesity and health care expenditure via educational attainment remains a long term process. Therefore, educational stakeholders should sensitize the community on the basic rules on weight watching and the Bamenda City Council should create weight loss rehabilitation centers. The adoption of personalized and integrated approaches to innovative curriculum planning and design should be of utmost importance to the government of Cameroon