Prevalence of obesity among health workers in Kadjebi District of Ghana

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are excess body adiposity which is unhealthy. Globally, 35% of the adult population, 20 years and older, were overweight and 11% were obese in 2008 accounting for more than 1.4 billion adults with overweight. Healthcare workers are susceptible to being overweight because of the stress levels they experience at work and also the irregular hours during which they work.

We determine the prevalence of obesity among health care workers in the district, by conducting a cross-sectional study in March 2013 in all the health facilities in Kadjebi District. The study subjects were all the health workers in health facilities in the district.

About 158 health care workers (HCWs) participated in the study. Majority of the study participants 64.6% were from Mary Theresa Hospital. Most of the HCWs, 53.8% were females. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity among the HCWs was 38.0% according to their BMI. The prevalence of overweight/obesity among females was 42.4% and 32.9% in males. Males were more physically active than their female colleagues.

The prevalence of obesity among health care workers was higher than in the general population. However, additional studies with representative sample is needed. HCWs like any other person need information to control their body weight and maintain reasonable physical activity.

Key words: Ghana, Obesity, Overweight, Body Mass Index, Waist-Hip Ratio, Waist Circumference.