Obesity among workers of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Background: Excess body weight is a risk factor for mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and several other conditions. The prevalence of obesity in Sub- Saharan Africa is on the increase. There is a scarcity of information on obesity and other cardiovascular markers among health workers who are supposed to take the lead in health care.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 230 workers from the Federal Medical centre, Bayelsa State
Results: Obesity was present in 54(23.5%) participants (9.5% of males and 31.5% of females). One hundred and thirty six (59.4%) participants were at least overweight (46.4% males and 66.4% females). Female gender, married life and presence of hypertension independently predicted obesity.
Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that obesity is prevalent among hospital workers, especially among married females with hypertension. There is need for policies aimed at prevention and control of obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.

Keywords: Bayelsa, hospital, obesity, Nigeria