MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

MPH / Department of Public Health / Obesity has been viewed as a serious problem that affects people of all ages, races, ethnicity, and political, religious, social and economic status. It presents a major health challenge worldwide, with an estimated 2 to 3 billion of overweight adults and 700 million of obese individuals. A cross- sectional descriptive research survey using quantitative approach was used to collect data from 318 adults aged 18-45 at Tshikota Location.. Data will be analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Cross tabulations and the Pearson’s Chi-square test will be used to obtain the associations and strength of relationship between independent and dependent variables. Results: Higher prevalence of obesity (35.5%) and overweight (28.6%) was found among the sampled population. The prevalence of obesity was found to be higher in males (51.3%) than females (46.7%), males also showed high prevalence in overweight (57.1%) than females (42.9%). There was significant different between socioeconomic status, family history and BMI. 75.2% of the participants who are obese was of those participants who do not engage in physical activity. Majority of the participants (63.5%) take meals 3 times a day and they are more likely to be obese, 19.2% of the participants do not skip breakfast. Mode of transport was positive significant to BMI as a sedentary behaviour. Neighbourhoods environment and psychological factors showed negative significant to BMI. Conclusion: The findings of this study found the prevalence of obesity and overweight to be high among residents of Tshikota Location. Males showed higher prevalence of obesity than females, they also showed high prevalence in overweight compared to that of females. Factors contributing to obesity were found to be diverse, they include socio- demographic, lifestyle, behavioral, environment, psychological and family history. / NRF

MPH / Department of Public Health / Sedentary lifestyle may contribute to obesity and non-communicable diseases, which are the major public health problem in South Africa. This study investigated the relationship between sedentary lifestyle and obesity among adults in Ha-Tshikundamalema area. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study among 298 participants (116 males and 182 females) aged 20-60 years, sampled systematically was conducted. Socio-demographic and, sedentary lifestyle and physical activity information was collected using a questionnaire, while anthropometric indices were measured according to ISAK protocol. Data were analysed using SPSS, version 24.0; where Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses to determine significant predictors of obesity were performed. The prevalence of TV viewing and low participation in moderate-vigorous activity were 75.8%, 69.1% and 82.6%, respectively. Twenty-nine point nine percent and 27.2% were overweight and obese, while 26.8% had very high WC (central obesity). According to Pearson correlation, TV viewing time, food, household activity, walking days and time, vigorous activity work vigorous activity, female gender, age (30-39), being married, unemployment, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly related to BMI and WC. No significant association was found between most of the sedentary behaviours, level of education and socio-economic status. However, obesity was more prevalent among those with less education and low socio-economic status. In regression analyses, only TV viewing time, work vigorous activity, gender, being married and smoking were the independent and significant predictors of high BMI and WC (obesity) (P< 0.05). There was an association of sedentary lifestyle and socio-demographic characteristics, and obesity. Intervention to prevent sedentary lifestyle and obesity should target females, particularly married, unemployed and those with less level of education. / NRF

MSCNPT / Department of Nutrition / Context: A survey made worldwide (including South Africa) revealed that most teenagers are overweight and obese and that they eat little nutritious food. Obesity and overweight are public health problems and need to be addressed from a community perspective. The reason for exploring this problem in this study was that South Africa has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world among urban and rural black women. Objective: Investigating the eating and lifestyle habits of overweight and obese female teenagers in Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. Design, setting and participants: This was an exploratory, descriptive study conducted in 2006–2007 amongst 125 female teenagers aged 13 to 18 years from rural schools in Thulamela Local Municipality. A hundred and twenty-five questionnaires were completed and data were gathered on the demographics, social and lifestyle habits, nutrition-related problems, dietary patterns and dietary history of the participants. Measurements: Eating and lifestyle habits, physical activity, meaning of healthy and unhealthy dietary habits, weight, height and body mass index were measured. Results: Seventy percent of the respondents actively consumed three meals in a day, 83% consumed starchy snacks between meals, whilst 72% of the respondents carried lunchboxes to school. Regarding lifestyle habits, 88% of the respondents slept more hours than recommended (8 hours) 88% performed sedentary activities and 66% did physical activities such as walking. Conclusion: The results pointed out unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits influencing teenagers’ weight. Identified factors must be considered in order to develop tailored nutrition interventions to improve teenagers’ consciousness about adopting a healthy lifestyle. / NRF

MPH / Department of Public Health