Background: Overweight and obesity are escalating global problem, causing\nmultiple life threatening non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular\ndisease, dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and\nsome forms of cancer [1] [2]. Although the burden is particularly heavy in\ndeveloping countries including Kenya, yet extensive data is still lacking in\nthese countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence\nand risk factors for obesity and overweight among the Catholic University\nof Eastern Africa (CUEA) staff, Langata Campus, Nairobi, Kenya. Methods\nand Materials: A cross sectional, descriptive study was carried out\namong 301 CUEA staff. WHO stepwise-structured questionnaire was used to\ncollect the data regarding respondentsâ?? socio-demographic, lifestyle characteristics\nand anthropometric. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version\n22.0. Descriptive Data were descriptively analyzed into proportions and frequency\ntables, while to determine relationships between various variables;\nOne-Way ANOVA was employed. The ethical approval to conduct the study\nwas obtained from KNH-University of Nairobi Ethical Review Committee.\nThe institutional permission was granted by the administration of CUEA.\nThe consent was obtained from the respondents before data collection was\ncommenced. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the\nrespondents was 47.5% and 36.3% respectively. Based on waist circumference\n(WC), the prevalence of overweight and obesity among men was 42.6% and\n37.2% respectively. While among the women the prevalence of overweight\nand obesity was 56.8% and 19.5% respectively. The mean BMI (p = 0.006)\nand the mean WC (p = 0.004) were significantly higher among respondents\naged greater than equal to40 years old. Additionally, the mean WC was significantly higher\namong male respondents compared to the female counterparts (p = 0.003).\nDaily consumption of vegetables (p = 0.022) and fruits (p = 0.017) was significantly\nassociated with lower WC. While, higher WC (p = 0.015) and BMI (p\n= 0.003) were significantly associated with daily consumption of fast foods.\nRespondents who had involved in vigorous intensity physical activity for less than equal to20\nminutes for less than equal to3 days in a week had significantly lower mean BMI (p = 0.025)\nand mean WC (p = 0.002) compared to respondents who did not involve in\nany vigorous intensity physical activity for less than equal to20 minutes for less than equal to3 days in a week\nrespectively. Additionally, respondents who had involved in moderate intensity\nphysical activity for less than equal to30 minutes for less than equal to5 days in a week had significantly\nlower mean BMI (p = 0.011) and mean WC (p = 0.023) than respondents\nwho did not involve in moderate intensity physical activity for less than equal to30 minutes\nfor less than equal to5 days in a week respectively. Moreover, both mean BMI (p = 0.002) and WC (p = 0.005) were significantly higher among respondents who drink alcohol\nless than equal to 3 standard drinks per drinking occasion compared to those who\ndrink less than 3 standard drinks per drinking occasion. Conclusion and\nrecommendation: There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity\namong the respondents. Consumption of fast foods and excessive alcohol is a\npredictor for obesity. While high consumption of fruits and vegetable and\nengaging in physical activities are protective against obesity. Institution like\nthe Catholic University of Eastern Africa should be involved in lifestyle modification\nprograms that lead to improve nutrition, physical activity and behavioral\nchange.
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