The combined study of consumer ethnocentrism and lifestyle is a unique approach that marketers can use to determine consumer buying behaviour and to refine market segmentation. In particular, marketers need to study consumer buying behaviour and examine the main influences regarding what, where, when and how consumers buy, as this knowledge will allow marketers to predict how consumers make their purchase decisions and how they will respond to various marketing strategies. A better understanding of the buying behaviour of consumers in a prospective market segment will help marketers to devise more effective marketing strategies for targeting consumers in the particular market segment they wish to pursue, and therefore, market segmentation is an extremely useful marketing tool. The Black Diamond consumer segment in South Africa has been receiving heightened attention from marketers recently due to the increasing purchasing power of this segment, and therefore it is necessary for marketers to gain a more profound understanding of these consumers so that they will be able to address Black Diamonds' specific needs, wants and preferences. This will assist marketers to devise marketing strategies that target the Black Diamond segment more effectively. The primary objective of this study was to determine consumer ethnocentrism and lifestyle among Black Diamonds in Sandton. This objective was addressed by using an adapted version of the Consumer Ethnocentrism Scale (CETSCALE) to measure the level of consumer ethnocentrism among Black Diamonds and by determining the lifestyle of this group by using the activities, interests and opinions (AIO) approach to measure the levels of six lifestyle dimensions, namely fashion consciousness, self–consciousness, health consciousness, homemaking, community orientation, and cost–consciousness. Based on literature consulted, an interviewer–administered questionnaire was developed and distributed to Black Diamond consumers by five fieldworkers in the Sandton area, in the city of Johannesburg, in the Gauteng province. Convenience and judgement sampling (non–probability sampling methods) were used and a total of 200 respondents participated in this study. The validity and reliability of the adapted version of the CETSCALE used in the questionnaire to measure the level of consumer ethnocentrism of respondents, as well as the six batteries of statements used to measure the levels of the respective lifestyle dimensions, were determined by means of factor analysis. The results indicated that consumer ethnocentrism is moderately high among respondents. Furthermore, moderately high levels of fashion consciousness, self–consciousness, health consciousness and cost–consciousness were found among respondents. Low levels of interest were established in homemaking activities and community orientation. It was found that various underlying relationships exist between consumer ethnocentrism and lifestyle dimensions of respondents, specifically between the lifestyle dimensions of health consciousness, homemaking and community orientation. It was further found that significant differences exist between the perceptions of respondents toward consumer ethnocentrism and the lifestyle dimensions in terms of their diverse age categories. It is recommended that marketers should stress product attributes, benefits, and superior aspects of the product by underplaying the product's country of origin, in light of the high level of consumer ethnocentrism prevalent among Black Diamonds. Furthermore, it is recommended that marketers and organisations should adapt and modify their current marketing strategies in order to appeal to the various lifestyle dimensions of Black Diamonds, specifically focussing on the higher levels of fashion consciousness, self–consciousness, health consciousness and cost–consciousness among Black Diamonds, whilst underplaying homemaking and community orientation. By considering consumer ethnocentrism and lifestyle, and realising that these factors affect the buying behaviour of Black Diamonds, marketers will be able to develop effective marketing strategies that will allow them to target the Black Diamond consumer segment more effectively and efficiently. Recommendations for future research include examining consumer ethnocentrism and lifestyle among Black Diamonds in a wider geographic area, drawing a larger sample size from the target population, and being more selective with regard to the respondents included in the study, in order to ensure that the most appropriate respondents do indeed form part of population under scrutiny. Furthermore, in order to improve the validity of the study, future research could be conducted by incorporating more qualitative forms of research such as focus groups and interviews. In addition to the six lifestyle dimensions that were measured in this study, a wider range of lifestyle dimensions can be measured in future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Magister Artium - MA / Volgens die Suid-Afrikaanse grondwet het vroueregte na die eerste demokratiese verkiesing in 1994 deel ontstaan. Dié vryhede wat die vrou ontvang het, was egter nie onproblematies nie – Suid-Afrikaanse vroue word steeds uitgelewer aan ’n patriargale samelewing. Die posisie van die swart vrou is veral problematies – swart vroue word nie net gemarginaliseer gebaseer op geslag nie, maar ook steeds as gevolg van ras. Die posisie van swart vroueskrywers in die Afrikaanse letterkunde asook die Nederlandse letterkunde is dan ook ’n aspek wat nog nie genoegsaam ondersoek word nie. Vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie word die werk van twee swart digters, een van Suid- Afrikaanse herkoms (Ronelda S. Kamfer) en een van Nederland (Simone Atangana Bekono), ondersoek. In 2008 word Ronelda S. Kamfer een van die eerste swart vroueskrywers wat ’n volledige Afrikaanse digbundel by ’n hoofstroomuitgewery publiseer. Ten spyte van breë mediadekking van haar werk – wat met verskeie literêre pryse bekroon is – is daar nog betreklik min akademiese studies oor Kamfer gedoen. Simone Atangana Bekono is redelik nuut in die poësiewêreld en geen akademiese studies is nog oor haar werk onderneem nie. Dié studie is dus daarop gemik om die akademiese gapinge te vul deur ’n komparatiewe studie te doen met die aandag gefokus op die digters Ronelda Kamfer en Simone Atangana Bekono. Die swart feminisme word vernaamlik as teoretiese invalshoek gebruik gegewe die twee digters se agtergronde asook die tematiek van hul werk. Kamfer se oeuvre (Noudat slapende honde, grond/Santekraam, Hammie en Chinatown) en Bekono se debuutbundel, Hoe de eerste vonken zichtbaar waren, sal as hoofbronne in hierdie tesis dien. Tesame met die voorafgenoemde sal daar ook verskeie sekondêre bronne en artikels wat swart feminisme, postkolonialisme, die stem van die gemarginaliseerde en ook komparatisme in die letterkunde ondersoek, gebruik word. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / Die moeder-dogter-verhouding is ʼn terugkerende en fassinerende tema in resente skryfwerk. Dit is die onderwerp van talle wetenskaplike navorsingsartikels, maar tog het dit tot dusver min aandag ontvang in die Afrikaanse letterkunde. Die verwikkelde moeder-dogter- verhouding is ʼn deurlopende tema in die werk van drie swart Afrikaanse vrouedigters, nl. Ronelda Kamfer, Jolyn Phillips en Shirmoney Rhode. Elkeen plaas ʼn eiesoortige fokus daarop. Die dimensies van hierdie verhouding word ontleed aan die hand van die psigoanalise soos deur Freud en Lacan uiteengesit. Postkolonialisme as raamwerk word ook betrek omdat dit fokus op identiteit en die subalterne wat ʼn kerngegewe in die genoemde digters se werk is. Hierdie raamwerk stel egter beperkings wanneer die sielkundige aspekte ter sprake kom. Hierdie studie maak dus gebruik van ʼn eklektiese benadering waarin insigte uit beide teoretiese raamwerke benut word. / South Africa

Die swart kind in Suid-Afrika is weens die proses van akkulturasie blootgestel aan die westerse kultuur. Die veranderende sosiale omgewing waarin hy hom bevind, ontwrig sy bestaanswyse sodanig dat sy geestesgesondheid in gedrang kom. 'n Tekort aan swart opvoedkundige-sielkundiges gee aanleiding tot kruiskulturele betrokkenheid om in die behoefte aan pedoterapeutiese begeleiding in die swart gemeenskap te kan voorsien. Kruiskulturele terapie staan in die brandpunt van die swart kleuter se geestesgesondheidsorg. Die taalprobleem, 'n kultuurvakuum, rassevooroordeel, sosiale verskille en selfs lewensopvatlike verskille, kan kommunikasieprobleme meebring. Daar is bevind dat kennis aangaande die swart kind se kultuur en sy sosiale strukture kan bydra tot begrip van die kind. Akkulturasie verminder kultuurverskille in afwykings in Suid-Afrika. 'n Universele benadering in terapie, wat oor die grense van kultuurinhoud strek, word aanbeveel om die afwykenheid op te hef. Speel as kommunikasiemedium is aan die hand gedoen om die swart kind se betekeniswereld aan die orde te stel. Die speelgoed, speletjies en speelwyses van die swart kind is beskou ten einde die speelmateriaal vir kruiskulturele terapie te kon saamstel. Verder blyk dit dat die speelterapeut se houding van warmte, empatie en opregtheid van deurslaggewende belang kan wees om rapport met die kind te stig. Terapeutiese verandering berus op 'n leerproses; 'n ervaring en verkenning waarvan die kwaliteit daarvan afhang van die interaksie tussen twee persone in die hier-en-nou en nie soseer deur hulle kulturele agtergrond nie. Voortspruitend uit die navorsingbevindinge word bepaalde aanbevelings gemaak ten aansien van die rol van die terapeut as die fasiliteerder van die speelgebeure en ook ten aansien van kruiskulturele terapie. Verder is aanbevelings gedoen omtrent die toerusting van die speelruimte, speelmateriaal, speelgoed en speelwyses van die swart kind. Dit blyk dat daar ruimte is vir verdere navors1ng op die gebied van die onderskeie pedagogiek-dissiplines ten opsigte van kruiskulturele bemoeienis met die kind. Die terapeut het 'n professionele verantwoordelikheid teenoor die swart kind met probleme wat op hom aangewys is vir hulp. Verder het die terapeut ook 'n verantwoordelikheid teenoor die samelewing deur die uiteenlopenheid van die menslike natuur te erken, te aanvaar en te respekteer. Dit is nie die verskille tussen mense nie, maar dit is die houding wat die individu teenoor daardie verskille inneem, wat as struikelblokke in die weg le tot sinvolle kultuurkontak. Verskille sal daar altyd wees, maar houdings kan verander. ENGLISH : The black child in South-Africa is exposed to the western culture. Due to the process of acculturation he finds himself in a changing social environment which disrupts his existing social security in such a way, that his mentality becomes affected. A shortage of black Educational Psychologists in the community, leads to cross-cultural involvement to provide in the need for pedotherapeutical guidance. Cross-cultural therapy seems to be the centre of attention concerning the mentality of the black child. The language problem, a cultural vacuum, racial discrimination, social differences and even differences concerning view of life, may cause communication problems. Knowledge concerning the black culture as well as social structures in the community of the black child, contribute to a relationship of understanding. In South-Africa the cultural differences concerning deviation decreases due to acculturation. An universal approach in therapy, which extend the boundaries of the con tense of a culture, is recommended to abolish deviation. Play as a medium of communication is advocated to put right the experiences of the black child. The toys, games and ways of playing of the black child is studied in order to compile the equipment necessary for cross-cultural therapy. The warm, sincere and empathic attitude of the therapist plays a vital part in the therepeutical relationship. Therapeutical changes submit to a learning process: experiencing and exploring a relationship from which the quality depend upon the two persons involve in the here-and-now and not upon their cultural background. The relationship and interaction between the therapist and the child is of greater importance than their cultural differences. From the research results certain recommendations are done with regard to the role of the therapist as well as with regard to cross-cultural therapy. Further recommendation concern the equiping of the playroom, playthings, toys and games of the black child. The final conclusion of this study is that the therapist has a proffesional responsibility to the black child in need. Further more the therapist carries a responsibility towards the society to acknowledge, to accept and to respect the divergence of human nature. It is not the differences between people, but their attitudes towards these differences, which stand in the way of closer cultural contact. There will always be differences, but attitudes are adaptable. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 1991. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / Die moeder-dogter-verhouding is ʼn terugkerende en fassinerende tema in resente skryfwerk. Dit is die onderwerp van talle wetenskaplike navorsingsartikels, maar tog het dit tot dusver min aandag ontvang in die Afrikaanse letterkunde. Die verwikkelde moeder-dogter- verhouding is ʼn deurlopende tema in die werk van drie swart Afrikaanse vrouedigters, nl. Ronelda Kamfer, Jolyn Phillips en Shirmoney Rhode. Elkeen plaas ʼn eiesoortige fokus daarop. Die dimensies van hierdie verhouding word ontleed aan die hand van die psigoanalise soos deur Freud en Lacan uiteengesit. Postkolonialisme as raamwerk word ook betrek omdat dit fokus op identiteit en die subalterne wat ʼn kerngegewe in die genoemde digters se werk is. Hierdie raamwerk stel egter beperkings wanneer die sielkundige aspekte ter sprake kom. Hierdie studie maak dus gebruik van ʼn eklektiese benadering waarin insigte uit beide teoretiese raamwerke benut word. / South Africa

INTRODUCTION - Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has a known relationship with obesity and more specifically with central obesity. Traditionally the physiological contribution of PAI-1 is seen as an indicator of fibrinolysis with increased PAI-1 levels contributing to decreased fibrinolysis. In more recent years, assays have been developed that not only uses proxy markers, such as PA-1, which is considered to be representative of fibrinolysis , but global assays that report on the global fibrinolytic potential of an individual, often reported as clot lysis time (CLT). Investigations into the relationship of CLT with obesity are scarce. Preliminary evidence shows that the relationship of CLT with obesity may differ from that of PAI-1 with obesity although in depth investigations in this regard are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between fibrinolysis markers (PAI-1act and CLT) and various markers of body composition in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) data collected during 2010. METHODS - Data collected in the PURE study in 2010 were cross-sectionally analysed. The participants (n = 1288) were apparently healthy black South-African men and women 35 years and older, residing in urban and rural settlements in the North-West Province. Experimental methods included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, chest, abdominal, thigh and supra iliac skinfolds) and body composition measurements by means of air-displacement plethysmography and biolelectrical impedance analysis. Laboratory analysis of fibrinolysis markers, PAI-1act and CLT were also performed. MAIN FINDINGS - In men, similarities were seen regarding the relationship between PAI-1act and body composition markers and the relationships observed between CLT and body composition markers. In contrast, in the women more and stronger associations were observed between CLT and body composition markers compared to that observed between PAI-1act and body composition markers. CLT showed a linear relationship with body composition markers where PAI-1act levels plateaued at higher body composition categories. Possible reasons for the observed differences may be related to differences in adipose tissue distribution and sequence of accumulation between men and women. PAI-1 is associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where high amounts of stromal cells are found. In men preferential accumulation of VAT may explain similarities in the relationship of PAI-1act with body composition and that of CLT with body composition. Proportionally less VAT, but more subcutaneous adipose tissue in women may explain the observed increase in CLT compared to PAI-1act levels that plateaued over body composition tertiles and categories. CONCLUSION - PAI-1act has a stronger association with central obesity while CLT has a stronger association with total body fat. In women PAI-1act and CLT showed different associations with body composition markers, whereas associations of PAI-1act and CLT with body composition were similar in men. PAI-1act is strongly influenced by type of body fat accumulation whereas CLT is associated with obesity independent of type and sequence of body fact accumulation. Significant associations observed between CLT and body composition variables are, therefore, at least in part, independent of PAI-1act. Additional factors such as, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, prothrombin and fibrin clot structure that influence CLT and are also related to obesity may additionally contribute to the link between CLT and obesity. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health problem worldwide. In South Africa, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is often underestimated. The prevalence of CVD is very high, especially in urban areas, where two thirds of Africans present with multiple risk factors for CVD. The surge in CVD seems largely caused by modifiable risk factors. Although several studies have been conducted on the high prevalence and burden of CVD, there is limited research investigating possible relationships between CV risk factors and CVD knowledge. In order to address the burden of CVD as a public health issue, it is necessary to determine the level of CVD knowledge to bridge the possible knowledge gap in the control and primary prevention of CVD. It is therefore important to get a clear understanding of the relationship between CV risk factors and knowledge of CVD to contribute to the development and implementation of primary prevention programmes to reduce the prevalence of CVD. The findings from the study may be useful in designing community based health promotion programmes to prevent and control CVD within primary health care settings. A clear and comprehensive understanding of how risk factors contribute to the development of the CVD may enable individuals to identify their risk factors, but also to take action to reduce their risk for developing CVD. AIM This study aimed to determine the relationship between CV risk factors and knowledge of CVD in a group of African men. METHODOLOGY This study is quantitative in nature and followed a descriptive correlational design to describe the relationship between CV risk factors and knowledge of CVD. The study included 118 African men employed at the Vaalharts Water Scheme, North-West Province, South Africa. For the purpose of the study, data was collected by means of questionnaires and individual health screening. Participants completed a general health questionnaire, as well as a Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire. Individual health screening included anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference and body mass index), blood pressure (BP), rapid testing of blood glucose and cholesterol. By using Pearson correlations we determined whether CVD knowledge scores relate to individual CV risk factors. RESULTS The mean CV knowledge score was 75%, with an acceptable Cronbach’s alpha of 0.64 (CA=0.64). One third of the group displayed moderate to high CV risk profiles. Participants had a mean BP of 146/92 mmHg, which falls in the hypertensive range of the European guidelines. Their fasting blood glucose levels of 5.8 ± 2.0mmol/L were higher than the normal cut-off of 5.6mmol/L. Their mean body mass index was 25.9 ± 5.9 kg/m2. Overall, we observed a lack of association between CV risk factors and CVD knowledge. Only one borderline significant association existed between triglycerides and CVD knowledge (r=0.167; p=0.071). CONCLUSIONS Despite African men having increased CV risk and a relatively good knowledge of CVD risk factors, there seems to be a disconnect between their CV risk and CVD knowledge. Furthermore, in this group of African men, this knowledge does not appear to translate to changes in their own perceived severity of risk factors. Our results suggest that a good CVD knowledge does not appear to influence changes in CV risk factor levels. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The teaching profession is widely regarded as being very stressful (Klassen, Usher & Bong, 2010; Otero, Castro, Santiago & Villardefrancosl, 2010). South African teachers, especially Black teachers working in previously disadvantaged areas, have to cope with serious stressors such as overcrowded classrooms and limited resources on a daily basis (Ngidi & Sibaya, 2002; Moloi, 2010). Occupational stress of this nature is known to have significant negative implications for well-being, and chronic stress has been linked to mood and anxiety disorders, and other forms of psychopathology (Bellingrath, Weigl & Kudielka, 2009; Brock & Buckley, 2012; Mundai, 2010). However, psychological buffers could enable individuals to sustain normal development and even experience well-being, despite the presence of long-term stress (Friborg, Hjemdal, Rosenvinge & Martinussen, 2003; Ryff & Singer, 2003). Noted among these so-called protective factors, the process of self-regulation has been found to be predictive of positive outcomes with regard to physiological and psychological well-being (Hofer, Busch & Kärtner, 2011; Peterson & Seligman, 2004). Self-regulation has, however, been found to represent a resource susceptible to depletion with repeated use, and there have been contradictory reports regarding the long-term sustainability of self-regulation capacity (Converse & DeShon, 2009; Ryan & Deci, 2008). No longitudinal studies could be found that explore the natural progression of self-regulation in a highly stressful context, and how changes in self-regulation are associated with changes in stress and well-being levels. This thesis consists of three sub-studies that are reported in three manuscripts. In the first of these sub-studies the levels of occupational stress and mental well-being in a cohort of Black South African teachers were investigated, including how these two variables are related to each other. The second sub-study aimed firstly to investigate the association between self-regulation and Black South African teachers’ self-reported levels of mental well-being. Secondly, it aimed to determine the role of the sub-constructs of the self-regulation process in the teachers’ selfreported levels of mental well-being. The aim of the third article was also two-fold. It first aimed to determine the natural progression of self-regulation within a highly stressful work context over a period of three years. It then aimed to determine how long-term changes in the selfregulation of individuals finding themselves in high-stress working conditions are associated with changes in their self-reported levels of stress and mental well-being. Black South African teachers (N=200, 101 men, 99 women) of ages ranging from 25 to 65 years from the North-West province of South Africa participated in the baseline phase of the SABPA project in 2008. Of the original 200 participants, a total of 173 teachers (88 men, 85 women) took part in data collection for the follow-up study in 2011. Data were collected by making use of quantitative measures (Teacher Stress Inventory (Boyle, Borg, Falzon & Baglion, 1995); General Health Questionnaire-28 (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979); Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (Keyes, 2006); Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire (Carey, Neal & Collins, 2004)) that have been validated for use in the South African context. The findings indicate that this group of teachers experienced high levels of stress, and symptoms indicative of mental illness to an extent that warrants psychiatric intervention. However, participants also reported higher than expected levels of mental health. The findings further indicated that self-regulation contributed positively to the participants’ mental health levels. The longitudinal findings also indicated improvements in this group of teachers’ selfregulation levels over time, and that these long-term changes in self-regulation were positively associated with changes in participants’ mental health. Recommendations for future investigations on the role of self-regulation in well-being that flowed from this research include extending research to other cultural groups and general populations; use of multiple or mixedmethod approaches to provide more insight into the participants’ short- and long-term experience of their working environment, their levels of stress and well-being and their self-regulation levels; investigating the psychological perspective on stress and exploring the concept of optimal self-regulation and the maintenance thereof. The study provided a holistic insight into the importance of self-regulation as protective factor in a highly stressed context, especially with regards to the promotion of mental well-being on a short term and long term basis. / PhD (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and mental health within a cohort of black African teachers. A review of literature revealed that teachers frequently experience mental- and general health problems (e.g. Ngidi & Sibaya, 2002; Olivier & Venter, 2003; Johnson, Cooper, Cartwright, Donald, Taylor & Millet, 2005; Parker, Martin, Colmar, & Liem, 2012). However, very little could be found on personality traits and how this relates to the health and well-being of teachers, especially in the challenging South African context. This study forms part of the SABPA (Sympathetic Activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans) project conducted within AUTHeR (Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research). The overarching purpose of this multidisciplinary project was to investigate the markers of bio-psycho-social health in urbanized teachers. This longitudinal project ran from January 2008 to November 2012 and involved a total of 409 Black and White secondary school teachers. The research was conducted in the North West province of South-Africa. This study focused on the 200 urbanized Black teachers who were recruited by means of convenience sampling from the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda educational district in the Potchefstroom area in the North West province during 2008. The sample included 101 men and 99 women, ranging between the ages of 25 and 60 years. Ethical permission for the SABPA and FORT3 projects was obtained from the ethics committee of the North-West University (ethical clearance numbers NWU-00036-07-S6 and NWU-00002-07-A2 respectively). Participants filled out informed consent forms prior to data collection, and after the objectives of the study and the research procedures were explained to them, all their questions were answered. Data collection for the baseline phase of the project lasted for 50 days during February to May 2008. Four participants arrived at the North-West University (NWU) Metabolic Unit on the Potchefstroom campus after work each day. After being welcomed and oriented, a battery of psychometric tests was administered in English. A secondary analysis was performed on data obtained by means of the Basic Traits Inventory-Short, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form and the General Health Questionnaire-28 in order to determine the relationship between personality functioning and mental health of the participants. Results showed that this cohort of teachers from the North West province experience distress in the workplace, but that they also experience surprisingly high levels of mental health. The findings suggest that there are few differences between the male and female subgroups in this regard. The study also found that there is indeed a relationship between personality traits and the general- and mental health of participants. Neuroticism showed a significant positive correlation with psychological distress, while Conscientiousness showed a significant negative correlation. All five personality traits showed significant correlations with the mental health of educators. Neuroticism correlated negatively with mental health, while Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness and Agreeableness correlated positively with mental health. Furthermore, certain personality traits (i.e. Neuroticism and Extraversion) were shown to be significant predictors of teachers’ levels of general and mental health. The strong association found between this cohort of teachers’ personality functioning and their general and mental health contributes toward an understanding of the processes that underlie the distress and mental health of teachers, and could play an important role in future attempts toward health promotion. / MSc (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

INTRODUCTION - Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has a known relationship with obesity and more specifically with central obesity. Traditionally the physiological contribution of PAI-1 is seen as an indicator of fibrinolysis with increased PAI-1 levels contributing to decreased fibrinolysis. In more recent years, assays have been developed that not only uses proxy markers, such as PA-1, which is considered to be representative of fibrinolysis , but global assays that report on the global fibrinolytic potential of an individual, often reported as clot lysis time (CLT). Investigations into the relationship of CLT with obesity are scarce. Preliminary evidence shows that the relationship of CLT with obesity may differ from that of PAI-1 with obesity although in depth investigations in this regard are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between fibrinolysis markers (PAI-1act and CLT) and various markers of body composition in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) data collected during 2010. METHODS - Data collected in the PURE study in 2010 were cross-sectionally analysed. The participants (n = 1288) were apparently healthy black South-African men and women 35 years and older, residing in urban and rural settlements in the North-West Province. Experimental methods included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, chest, abdominal, thigh and supra iliac skinfolds) and body composition measurements by means of air-displacement plethysmography and biolelectrical impedance analysis. Laboratory analysis of fibrinolysis markers, PAI-1act and CLT were also performed. MAIN FINDINGS - In men, similarities were seen regarding the relationship between PAI-1act and body composition markers and the relationships observed between CLT and body composition markers. In contrast, in the women more and stronger associations were observed between CLT and body composition markers compared to that observed between PAI-1act and body composition markers. CLT showed a linear relationship with body composition markers where PAI-1act levels plateaued at higher body composition categories. Possible reasons for the observed differences may be related to differences in adipose tissue distribution and sequence of accumulation between men and women. PAI-1 is associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where high amounts of stromal cells are found. In men preferential accumulation of VAT may explain similarities in the relationship of PAI-1act with body composition and that of CLT with body composition. Proportionally less VAT, but more subcutaneous adipose tissue in women may explain the observed increase in CLT compared to PAI-1act levels that plateaued over body composition tertiles and categories. CONCLUSION - PAI-1act has a stronger association with central obesity while CLT has a stronger association with total body fat. In women PAI-1act and CLT showed different associations with body composition markers, whereas associations of PAI-1act and CLT with body composition were similar in men. PAI-1act is strongly influenced by type of body fat accumulation whereas CLT is associated with obesity independent of type and sequence of body fact accumulation. Significant associations observed between CLT and body composition variables are, therefore, at least in part, independent of PAI-1act. Additional factors such as, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, prothrombin and fibrin clot structure that influence CLT and are also related to obesity may additionally contribute to the link between CLT and obesity. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014