Body Mass Index Body Mass Index BMI Anthropometry Nutritional status Sex differences Age variation Ethnicity Nutritional transition Obesity Underweight Overweight Malnutrition Double burden of malnutrition Dietary patterns Lifestyle factors

This study examined the influence of sex, age, ethnicity, diet, on Body Mass Index (BMI) among residents of Evbobike community, Ekenwan town, Edo State, Nigeria. Two Hundred and Fifty (250) participants were assessed, consisting of twenty-four (130) males and twenty-six (120) females across different ethnic groups including Bini, Esan, Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Urhobo, and Fulani. Height and weight were measured using standard anthropometric methods, and BMI was calculated as weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m²). The majority of individuals falling within the WHO-defined normal range(55.2%). , The mean BMI of males was significantly higher than of the females (p = 0.03770 < 0.05), this demonstrate a statistical sexual dimorphism in BMI within the Evbobike community in Evbobike both sexes appeared equally exposed to nutritional determinants such as diet and lifestyle. However,males showed greater with cases of both severe underweight . The Hausa , Bini and Esan ethnic groups now have significantly higher BMI values. The p-value = 0.013 (< 0.05) indicates that BMI difference across are statistically significant. The BMI increases steadily across age groups, the p value is <0.05, which indicate statistical significance difference in BMI across age groups. Older participant have higher BMI on average. The distribution 7.6% underweight, 55.2% normal, 25.2% overweight, and 12% obese illustrates a double burden of malnutrition. The coexistence of underweight and obesity within the same community is a hallmark of nutritional transition, where food insecurity exists alongside increased consumption of calorie-dense diets.In conclusion, this study provides clear evidence that age, gender and race are significant factors influncing BMI in the studied population The findings call for integrated interventions addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and economic realities to promote healthier BMI distribution in the community.