Assessing risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among the employees of Arua Regional referral Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT Overweight and obesity are important addendum to the pool of risk factors for non-communicable disease (NCD) among the employees. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the employees of Arua Regional referral Hospital and the associated risk factors. This cross sectional-based study was conducted among the employees during June and July 2019. A pretested interview schedule was used to obtain information on socio-demographic details and history of NCD risk factors after obtaining verbal and non-verbal informed consent. Anthropometric measurements were taken as per standard procedures prescribed by the World Health Organization. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified using world health organization BMI classification standards. The prevalence of overweight was 8% and 12% among male and females respectively. The proportion of obesity was high among females 3% as compared to male counterparts (1%). Overweight and obesity were high among employees who were consuming alcohol and doing less physical activity than those who were not consuming Alcohol and doing more physical exercise. Overweight and obesity was higher in employees who are non-tobacco users and those with unhealthy diet than their counterparts The study concludes that overweight and obesity were not a health risk factor among the employees in Arua Referral Hospital and there is an association between factors associated with overweight and obesity and these are; physically activity, transport means for travelling to and from work, use family planning methods and use of Antiretroviral therapy.