ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2016  |  Volume : 18  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 55-59

Prevalence and correlates of obesity and overweight in healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital


Department of Family Medicine, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Musa Dankyau
Department of Family Medicine, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2238, Jos, Plateau State, 930214
Nigeria
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2276-7096.188533

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Background: Obesity and overweight are increasing consequences for the health system. Previous studies suggest that prevalence and correlates might be different in health workers compared to the general population. This study aims to determine prevalence and correlates of obesity and overweight. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving health workers at a 250-bed, urban, faith-based tertiary hospital in North-Central Nigeria consisting of 320 eligible full-time employees. Results: Response rate was 68.8%. Most respondents were female (66.4%), young (mean age 41.6 ± 9.88), and married (70.5%); had tertiary education (61.8%), mean duration of employment 11.3 ± 9.79 years, and median duration of employment 7.0 years (range 0-37); and were mainly (55.9%) health service providers. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.6 ± 4.85 kg/m 2 . Males had lower BMI compared to females (23.8 ± 3.43 kg/m 2 vs. 28.1 ± 4.83 kg/m 2 , P < 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1-5.6). Overall, 63.4% (23.2% obese, 31.4% overweight) were overweight or obese and 60% had abdominal obesity. Females had higher mean waist circumference than males (92.1 ± 11.8 cm vs. 83.0 ± 9.8 cm, P = 0.016, OR 9.1, 95% CI 6.0-12.3). Female staff (OR 4.9, 95% CI 2.6-9.2) and married staff (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.9) were more likely to be obese or overweight. Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity, overweight, and abdominal obesity was high. Females and married status were associated with overweight and obesity. This calls for workplace interventions to address causes of overweight and obesity in health workers.


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