Suchergebnisse

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and blood pressure among employees of the Vhembe district municipality of Limpopo province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 452 local government employees (207 males, 245 females) aged 24–65 years. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and waist circumference (WC) measurements, and waistto- height ratio (WHtR) were assessed. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics, version 21. Results: The results showed that 27% of the participants were classified as overweight and 34% as obese, with females being more overweight and obese (29 and 48%, respectively) compared to males (24 and 17%, respectively). Twenty-five per cent of the participants were hypertensive, with females (27%) showing a higher prevalence compared to males (22%). Based on BMI categories, the obese group (35%) had a higher prevalence of hypertension in contrast to groups that were of normal weight (18%) and overweight (22%). The results also showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) was positively (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with BMI (r = 0.15), WC (r = 0.26) and WHtR (r = 0.29) in the normal and overweight groups (WC, r = 0.23 and WHtR, r = 0.26), and WHtR correlated with SBP (r = 0.26) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.19). Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and hypertension, with females more affected than their male counterparts. BMI, WC and WHtR were positively correlated with SBP in the normal and overweight groups, with WHtR positively correlated with both SBP and DBP in the overweight group. Therefore, it is recommended that intervention regimes designed to address obesity and hypertension should consider risk awareness for cardiovascular diseases, impaired quality of life and productivity among local government employees

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and blood pressure among employees of the Vhembe district municipality of Limpopo province. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 452 local government employees (207 males, 245 females) aged 24–65 years. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and waist circumference (WC) measurements, and waistto- height ratio (WHtR) were assessed. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics, version 21. RESULTS: The results showed that 27% of the participants were classified as overweight and 34% as obese, with females being more overweight and obese (29 and 48%, respectively) compared to males (24 and 17%, respectively). Twenty-five per cent of the participants were hypertensive, with females (27%) showing a higher prevalence compared to males (22%). Based on BMI categories, the obese group (35%) had a higher prevalence of hypertension in contrast to groups that were of normal weight (18%) and overweight (22%). The results also showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) was positively (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with BMI (r = 0.15), WC (r = 0.26) and WHtR (r = 0.29) in the normal and overweight groups (WC, r = 0.23 and WHtR, r = 0.26), and WHtR correlated with SBP (r = 0.26) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.19). CONCLUSION: The study showed a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and hypertension, with females more affected than their male counterparts. BMI, WC and WHtR were positively correlated with SBP in the normal and overweight groups, with WHtR positively correlated with both SBP and DBP in the overweight group. Therefore, it is recommended that intervention regimes designed to address obesity and hypertension should consider risk awareness for cardiovascular diseases, impaired quality of life and productivity among local government employees.

Background and Objective: Relationship between metabolic risk factors and waist-to-heigh t (WHtR) in population studies are well known. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship betwee n selected metabolic risk factors and waist-to-height ratio among employees in Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, the following anthropometric and metabolic variables were asses sed in 535 (Men = 249,Women = 286) local government employees (aged 24-65 years) of the Vhembe district, Limpopo province based on standardized protocols: Body Mass Index (BMI),waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), cholesterol (mmol L G 1 , TC) and fasting blood glucose (mmol L G 1 , FG). Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics version 21. Results: Majority (84.6%, males: 85.1%, females: 3.5%) of the participa nts were ground maintenance workers. The participants (65.2%) were classified as overweight (21.3%) and obese (43.9), females (20.6-60.5%) being more overweight and obese as compared to males (22-25%). Twenty-five percent of the total participants had an elevated level of fasting glucose, females (3.8%) being more af fected than males (3.2%). Fasting glucose was positively associated with th e BMI, Waist circumference (WC) and WHtR, especially in the gro unds maintenance workers. Conclusion: Female employees were more overweight and obese than their mal e counterparts. Furthermore, fasting glucose was high among the employees, with female being more affected than the males. Municipality managers had high levels of total cholesterol as compared to the ground maintenance work ers. It was evident that fatness was positively associated with elevated fasting glucose. From a public health perspective, the current results indicate the need for urgent strategic health promotion intervention among the employees in the Vhembe Local Municipality

It is a known fact that the provision of recreation facilities alone is not enough, and that there is a growing demand for professionally trained people and suitable department, to develop and enhance the delivery of recreation services. The purpose of this study was to determine the human resources status and department responsible for recreation service delivery in the North West province, South Africa. A mixed-method research design using a questionnaire and focus group were used on a targeted 20 personnel who are responsible for managing recreation at local government levels in the North West Province. Frequencies and phi coefficients were calculated for the quantitative data, while for qualitative data patterns were established. The results show that the majority (75%) of the local governments are in the rural settings whilst 25% found in urban areas with limited resources. It was found that 60% of the personnel are in the middle management with 40% in the top management. A total of 25% of the personnel are reported to have diploma qualification. From the results it is clear that recreation services delivery is widely spread across numerous service points; the Department of Parks accounted for 25%; Social Services 20% and other departments 20%, and 35% uncertainty. The focus groups discussion indicated that no agreement regarding which department must be responsible for recreation service delivery. It is concluded from the present results that human resources and department responsible for recreation service delivery are inconsistent and as such warranting urgent intervention from stakeholders dealing with recreation. ; http://reference.sabinet.co.za/webx/access/electronic_journals/ajpherd/ajpherd_v18_supp1_1_a18.pdf

It is a known fact that the provision of recreation facilities alone is not enough, and that there is a growing demand for professionally trained people and suitable department, to develop and enhance the delivery of recreation services. The purpose of this study was to determine the human resources status and department responsible for recreation service delivery in the North West province, South Africa. A mixed-method research design using a questionnaire and focus group were used on a targeted 20 personnel who are responsible for managing recreation at local government levels in the North West Province. Frequencies and phi coefficients were calculated for the quantitative data, while for qualitative data patterns were established. The results show that the majority (75%) of the local governments are in the rural settings whilst 25% found in urban areas with limited resources. It was found that 60% of the personnel are in the middle management with 40% in the top management. A total of 25% of the personnel are reported to have diploma qualification. From the results it is clear that recreation services delivery is widely spread across numerous service points; the Department of Parks accounted for 25%; Social Services 20% and other departments 20%, and 35% uncertainty. The focus groups discussion indicated that no agreement regarding which department must be responsible for recreation service delivery. It is concluded from the present results that human resources and department responsible for recreation service delivery are inconsistent and as such warranting urgent intervention from stakeholders dealing with recreation.

Underweight and overweight are adverse effects of malnutrition and both are associated with negative health consequences in children and adolescents. In South Africa, the burden of economic and social disparity coexists with malnutrition in children. The purpose of this study was to review available South African studies regarding the comprehensive summary of prevalence of underweight and overweight and evaluates government policies in addressing undernutrition and overnutrition in South African children and adolescents. We searched subject-specific electronic bibliographic databases of observational studies published on malnutrition, undernutrition, overnutrition, underweight and overweight in South African boys and girls from birth to 20 years of age in studies published on or after 1990. A total of sixteen cross-sectional, three longitudinal studies and one report met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Descriptive data synthesis revealed the small number of longitudinal studies highlights the dearth of research in tracking undernutrition and overnutrition in South African children. In this review, 0.7%–66% of underweight was reported among children in rural areas compared to a 3.1%–32.4% of overweight in urban areas. All studies reported a higher rate of underweight in boys than girls who were significantly more likely to have higher body fat. The data indicated that both underweight and overweight were positively related with health-related physical activity and psychological health problems such as low activity, low fitness, low self-image and self-esteem. Numerous recommendations were made in the reviewed studies, however effective strategic programs in eradicating both underweight and overweight are minimal. It is evident from the reviewed studies that the burden of underweight and overweight are still a problem in South African children. The most highly affected by underweight are rural children, while children in urban areas in transition are faced with burden of overweight. There is little evidence to suggest that government strategic programs are effective in addressing underweight and overweight in South African children. Based on these findings, sustainable school-based feeding schemes and physical education programmes are needed for optimal benefits in children and adolescents.

Underweight and overweight are adverse effects of malnutrition and both are associated with negative health consequences in children and adolescents. In South Africa, the burden of economic and social disparity coexists with malnutrition in children. The purpose of this study was to review available South African studies regarding the comprehensive summary of prevalence of underweight and overweight and evaluates government policies in addressing undernutrition and overnutrition in South African children and adolescents. We searched subject-specific electronic bibliographic databases of observational studies published on malnutrition, undernutrition, overnutrition, underweight and overweight in South African boys and girls from birth to 20 years of age in studies published on or after 1990. A total of sixteen cross-sectional, three longitudinal studies and one report met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Descriptive data synthesis revealed the small number of longitudinal studies highlights the dearth of research in tracking undernutrition and overnutrition in South African children. In this review, 0.7%–66% of underweight was reported among children in rural areas compared to a 3.1%–32.4% of overweight in urban areas. All studies reported a higher rate of underweight in boys than girls who were significantly more likely to have higher body fat. The data indicated that both underweight and overweight were positively related with health-related physical activity and psychological health problems such as low activity, low fitness, low self-image and self-esteem. Numerous recommendations were made in the reviewed studies, however effective strategic programs in eradicating both underweight and overweight are minimal. It is evident from the reviewed studies that the burden of underweight and overweight are still a problem in South African children. The most highly affected by underweight are rural children, while children in urban areas in transition are faced with burden of overweight. There is little ...

Underweight and overweight are adverse effects of malnutrition and both are associated with negative health consequences in children and adolescents. In South Africa, the burden of economic and social disparity coexists with malnutrition in children. The purpose of this study was to review available South African studies regarding the comprehensive summary of prevalence of underweight and overweight and evaluates government policies in addressing undernutrition and overnutrition in South African children and adolescents. We searched subject-specific electronic bibliographic databases of observational studies published on malnutrition, undernutrition, overnutrition, underweight and overweight in South African boys and girls from birth to 20 years of age in studies published on or after 1990. A total of sixteen cross-sectional, three longitudinal studies and one report met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Descriptive data synthesis revealed the small number of longitudinal studies highlights the dearth of research in tracking undernutrition and overnutrition in South African children. In this review, 0.7%–66% of underweight was reported among children in rural areas compared to a 3.1%–32.4% of overweight in urban areas. All studies reported a higher rate of underweight in boys than girls who were significantly more likely to have higher body fat. The data indicated that both underweight and overweight were positively related with health-related physical activity and psychological health problems such as low activity, low fitness, low self-image and self-esteem. Numerous recommendations were made in the reviewed studies, however effective strategic programs in eradicating both underweight and overweight are minimal. It is evident from the reviewed studies that the burden of underweight and overweight are still a problem in South African children. The most highly affected by underweight are rural children, while children in urban areas in transition are faced with burden of overweight. There is little evidence to suggest that government strategic programs are effective in addressing underweight and overweight in South African children. Based on these findings, sustainable school-based feeding schemes and physical education programmes are needed for optimal benefits in children and adolescents.