Pattern of Obesity among Health Workers in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Aim: This study determined pattern of obesity among health workers in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. Methodology: Three hundred and sixty health workers (108 males and 252 females) between the ages of 20 and 69 years participated in the study. Mixed method of data collection was used. Questionnaires were administered, anthropometric measurements of height, weight and waist-hip ratio obtained and used to assess obesity. Results: Showed that BMI classified as underweight, normal, overweight and obesity were 3.9%, 38.1%, 35.3% and 22.8% respectively for all participants; 2.4%, 33.7%, 37.6% and 31.2% for driving participants; 4.2%, 29.2%, 47.9% and 18.8% for cycling participants; and 7.2%, 55.7%, 27.8 and 9.3% for trekking participants. Obesity prevalence was 16.7%, 29.2%, 6.5%, 29.4% and 25.8% among doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacists and others respectively; 0.8%, 8.1%, 6.4%, 1.4% and 0.6% for age groups 20 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59 and 60 – 69 years respectively. Waist to Hip Ratio classified as underweight, normal, overweight/obesity was 31.0%, 31.9%, 37.1% and 12.7%, 18.7%, 68.7% for males and females respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed high obesity prevalence among health workers in Owerri, nurses being most susceptible. It also revealed higher obesity prevalence among female health workers than males. Considering the perception of health workers as role models of healthy living and the obvious implications of obesity, we recommend implementation of workplace health promotion policies that focus on weight reduction through increased physical activities and healthy dieting. Key Words: Obesity, Body Mass Index, Waist to Hip Ratio, underweight, overweight, health workers.