Introduction Tobacco addiction, obesity, hypertension and physical inactivity are common risk factors of non-communicable diseases. Information on the prevalence of risk factors is needed for inter alia planning of services. Sample A community-based sample of 99 subjects of both genders, aged 20 to 59 years, was randomly selected. Method Smoking status and physical activity levels were determined using a questionnaire. Hypertension (systolic blood pressure >160mmHg / diastolic blood pressure >90mmHg) and obesity (body mass index (8MI) >30kg/m2, waist-hip ratio (WHR) >1(males), >0.84 (females» were measured. Results Of the sample, 25% smoked, 6% were hypertensive, 19%(8MI) and 12%(WHR) were obese, 23% inactive at work and 25% inactive during leisure time. Seventy-eight percent did not participate in sport. Each subject had at least one risk factor. Conclusion Socio-economical, behavioural, psychological and cultural factors appear to influence the prevalence rates. Despite relatively low prevalence rates, high-¬risk groups were identified such as male smokers and obese females. Promoting physical activity by physiotherapists as part of comprehensive intervention programmes appears especially appropriate due to its inter-relationship with other risk factors. Prevention and treatment of risk factors should be a health priority. / Dissertation (MSc (Physiotherapy Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Physiotherapy / unrestricted
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:up/oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/27267 |
| Date | 15 August 2005 |
| Creators | Mostert, Karien |
| Contributors | Mrs A J Van Rooijen, upetd@up.ac.za, Mrs M Eisenberg |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Rights | © 2001 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
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