Determinants of obesity among rural adolescents in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The increased prevalence of obesity is due to a decreased level of physical activity and increased intake of fast food. Furthermore, obesity among children and adolescent is a risk factor for life-threatening conditions including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), Cardio-metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer and reproductive disorders. The aim of this study is to describe the determinants of obesity. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 377 adolescents aged 13 to 20 years from 16 secondary schools in Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District Limpopo Province, South Africa. Information about socio-demographic characteristics, household income, disease family history, and level of education of parents was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference were taken by trained field workers and body mass index (BMI), and the waist-hip ratio were determined. Biochemical measurements and clinical assessment were done by a professional nurse following standard procedures. The prevalence of obesity is 22.2% in males and 32.6% in females by abdominal obesity by (waist circumference), whilst 11.1% (males) and 28.3% (females) by waist to hip ratio (WHR). Gender (β=0.32, p=0.018, 95%CI); age (β=1.28, p=0.015, 95%CI); source of income (β=3.25, p=0.008, 95%CI) and systolic blood pressure (β=1.04, p=0.01, 95%CI) were associated with obesity. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in females than in males in Thulamela municipality. There is a need to bring up children and adolescents in a health-promoting environment in an effort to reverse and stop the increasing trend of overweight and obesity.

Financial Management in South African Public Schools: Perspectives From Principals

“…All public schools receive funding based on the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF). Baloyi (2015) explains that the NNSSF considers factors such as the local poverty rate, unemployment levels, and community education levels to determine funding allocations, aiming for fairness and equity. Ogbonnaya and Awuah (2019) describe the School Quintile System, where schools are categorised into five quintiles based on their socio-economic status, with Quintile 1 being the poorest and Quintile 5 the wealthiest.…”