Prevalence and associated health risk factors of overweight and obesity among educators among Nkomazi Local Municipality Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are global public health problems and the two terms are often used interchangeably. According to the World Health Organization the prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled over the past twenty years. World population estimates indicate that about half a billion people who are over 20 years are either overweight or obese and thus almost 2.8 million people die per year due to complications and conditions caused by excessive fat. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and associated health risk factors of overweight and obesity among educators in selected schools in Nkomazi Municipality. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. The population of this study included all teachers in the Nkomazi Municipality. Three circuits were randomly selected, and all the nineteen schools within the three circuits were included in the study and simple random sampling was used to select 315 teachers from 1,010 teachers. A modified World Health Organization stepwise questionnaire for non-communicable diseases latest version was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics, and lifestyle risk factors. A Seca weighing scale was used to measure respondents’ weight, stadiometer was used to measure height, GUlick anthropometric tape was used to measure girths, an automatic sphygmomanometer was used to measure blood pressure and an accu-chek Instant machine was used to measure glucose level. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 26.0 was used to analyse data. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association between obesity and risk factors. Charts and graphs were used to present the results of the study. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 33.9%, obesity class I was at 21.4%, obesity class II was at 6.4% and obesity class III was at 3.1%. Moreover, only 33.2% were found to be normal. The findings also highlighted that 40.3% of the participants did not participate in moderate physical activity, 60.3% agreed to snacking between meals while 49.5% reported that they spend more than 10 hours seated on a daily basis. The findings also revealed that 29.5% were pre-hypertensive while 41.4% were at a high risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Statistically, significant difference was evident between family history and increased BMI and WHR (P=0.001 and P=0.026). Conclusion: The findings take a lead in concluding that participants had a high prevalence rate of overweight and obesity due to negative lifestyle habits. The study therefore recommends that education authorities must ensure that educators participate in moderate physical activity and consume healthy foods.