Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, 2004 / Introduction and Background: The prevalence of obesity amongst both the adult and paediatric population has assumed almost epidemic proportions in many developed and developing countries. A recent study by the Medical Research Council found that a disturbing 20% of all South African children could be categorized as being obese. Limited data is currently available on the prevalence of obesity in South African children, particularly from the previously disadvantaged population. Given the global epidemic of paediatric obesity, hypertension and type-2-diabetes and the limited available data relating to obese South African children, further studies to enhance the understanding of the risk factors associated with the epidemic are imperative. Aims and Objectives of the Study: The objectives of the study were to: 1. Determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst leamers attending schools in the communities of Belhar, Delft and Mfuleni within the City of Cape Town, South Africa. 2. Determine the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension amongst learners attending school in the communities of Belhar, Delft and Mfuleni in the City of Cape Town. 3. To investigate the association of overweight and obesity with diabetes and hypertension in children and adolescents, and • To determine the risk factors associated with overweight, obesity, diabetes and hypertension Sample Population: Excluding learners that did not meet the inclusion criteria, the final sample consisted of 338 learners aged 10 - 16 years attending the government funded primary and secondary schools and residing in the target communities.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the body fatness and associated selected health risk factors among 10 to 12 year old adolescents attending schools in Port Elizabeth. Therefore the objectives of the study were to determine the following for the participants: • Level of fatness: weight, height, waist circumference, maximum hip circumference and skinfolds; • Fat intake; • Level of physical activity involvement (IPAQ). To achieve the aim and objectives of this study, the literature pertaining to Childhood Obesity and the possible effects thereof, were reviewed. Both an ex post facto quasi experimental and randomized one-group posttest only designs were used to describe the level of fatness and to identify the incidence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 10 to 12 years attending schools in Port Elizabeth. The test battery included anthropometric measurements that were identified from the literature as the factors most important to categorise body fatness such as weight, height, circumferences and skinfolds to determine the level of fatness of the participants. A 21-item Fat Measure for Dietary Intake and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered to determine the levels of fat intake and physical activity. Three hundred (300) adolescents were assessed of which 143 were male and 157 were female. In terms of socioeconomic status, 71.3 percent were from the ‘less poor’ quintile schools and 28.7 percent were from the ‘more poor’ quintile schools. The results obtained from the evaluation of the samples were compared in terms of their descriptive statistics and the differences were tested for statistical and practical significance. The results from the study showed that 26.7 percent of the participants were overweight and 14.7 percent were obese according to their skinfold measurements. In terms of body mass index, 79.7 percent of the participants were overweight and 14.3 percent were obese. These results are far higher than majority of the studies included. Physical activity indicated a reduction in body fatness and the most physically active participants were obese. Lastly, body fat percentage and body mass index are very closely related.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Peninsula Technikon, 2004. / The prevalence of obesity amongst both the adult and paediatric population has assumed almost epidemic proportions in many developed and developing countries. A recent study by the Medical Research Council found that a disturbing 20% of all South African children could be categorized as being obese. Limited data is currently available on the prevalence of obesity in South African children, particularly from the previously disadvantaged population. Given the global epidemic of paediatric obesity, hypertension and type-2-diabetes and the limited available data relating to obese South African children, further studies to enhance the understanding of the risk factors associated with the epidemic are imperative.

Dietary intake is a strong determinate of the health of an individual. Healthy eating is an important prevention to non-communicable diseases. If behaviour is to be changed insight into what the attitudes and barriers are to eating healthily amongst adolescents is imperative. This can provide knowledge for future prevention campaigns for healthy eating to prevent overweight and obesity. The purpose of the study was to quantitatively describe what attitudes adolescent females have towards healthy eating and what potential barriers omits them from adopting healthy eating behaviours. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Girls (N=73) from 3 public all girls’ high schools within Durban, KZN, participated in this study. The findings revealed that overall adolescent girls have a positive attitude to healthy eating. A lack of time, the foods sold in the school shop and the conveniences of less healthy food have been identified as barriers to healthy eating. / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

Dietary intake is a strong determinate of the health of an individual. Healthy eating is an important prevention to non-communicable diseases. If behaviour is to be changed insight into what the attitudes and barriers are to eating healthily amongst adolescents is imperative. This can provide knowledge for future prevention campaigns for healthy eating to prevent overweight and obesity. The purpose of the study was to quantitatively describe what attitudes adolescent females have towards healthy eating and what potential barriers omits them from adopting healthy eating behaviours. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Girls (N=73) from 3 public all girls’ high schools within Durban, KZN, participated in this study. The findings revealed that overall adolescent girls have a positive attitude to healthy eating. A lack of time, the foods sold in the school shop and the conveniences of less healthy food have been identified as barriers to healthy eating. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

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