Prevalence of obesity and its associated risk factors among the academic staff in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Abstract Background Obesity is an important public health challenge. The World Health Organization has emphasized the assessment of overweight and obesity in different populations, to help with prevention. Obesity is associated with cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and diabetes. Exercise and diet are used in prevention and management. This study sets out to determine the prevalence of obesity and its associated risk factors among University of Venda academic staff. Methods Academic staff (n = 179) mean age 43.9 ± 10.1, including 104 male and 75 female were recruited from all eight schools at the University of Venda, South Africa, using simple random sampling in a cross-sectional study. A pretested questionnaire was used to determine demographic and lifestyle characteristics of respondents. Weight and height was measured using a standard procedure and body mass index was calculated and classified using the World Health Organization classification. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists Version 23.0. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association between body mass index and related risk characteristics, both demographic and lifestyle, for obesity. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results The prevalence of obesity was 37.29% (66/177), overweight was 36.16% (64/177) and only 26.55% (46/177) had a normal body mass index. The prevalence of obesity was significantly associated with age, gender and fast-food intake. Conclusions The risk of obesity was high considering that the respondents are academic staff. Women had a higher prevalence of obesity than men; possibly as a result of childbearing and different hormonal pathways in the two genders. Age was also a risk factor for obesity, possibly because as people grow older level of physical activity decreases. It is recommended that fast-food intake should be discouraged as it is associated with many non-communicable diseases linked to obesity. The findings have shown that there is a need for programmes directed at academics to assist in prevention and management of obesity.