MORURI IMMACULATE EDELA90/0142/2008SUPERVISOR

PROF J.K IMUNGI

OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

AND EATING HABITS AMONG BUS DRIVERS IN

NAIROBI.

Statement of the problem

The prevalence of obesity has been increasing both in developed and developing countries, and more noticeably in urban areas. (Abubakari et al, 2008)

National data on prevalence of adult men in Kenya is lacking.

A documented study on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults needs to be done to facilitate proper interventions and management strategies.

Justification

Metropolitan bus drivers are at high risk of being overweight or obese due to reduced physical activity and poor dietary intake.

Structural variables that encourage this obesogenic environment include long work hours and lack of scheduled breaks.

This study thus concerns itself with determining the prevalence of overweight and obesity among bus drivers in association with their dietary intake and physical activity.

Aimto contribute towards improving the health

status among bus drivers.Purposeto contribute to information on the

prevalence of obesity in relation to eating habits, physical activity and nutritional status.

Main objective

to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in association with physical activity and eating habits among metropolitan bus drivers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Sub-objectives

To determine the physical activity level of the study bus drivers in Nairobi, Kenya.

To assess the eating habits, smoking habits and alcohol intake of the study drivers.

To determine the Body Mass Index of the bus drivers.

To describe the socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the bus drivers .

DESIGN

Sample Size Determination At 95% confidence interval using Fischer

formula (Fischer et al. 1991) N = (Z2 p q) / d2

Where p = 7.7%, q = 92.3%, z= 1.96, d=0.08

N = 43 When 20% attrition is added sample size =

52 bus drivers

Sampling procedure

Bus and commuter companies

100 Citi hoppa bus drivers

200 double M bus drivers

Sample of 14 bus drivers

Sample of 38 bus drivers

METHODOLOGY

Semi-structured questionnaire Demographic and socio-economic

information food frequency questionnaire Physical activity questionnaire Anthropometry measurements

RESULTS

Characteristics Frequency (N=52) % of sample

AGE GROUP (years)23-3031-3839-59

30184

57.734.67.7

MARITAL STATUSSingleMarried (monogamous)Married (polygamous)

23281

44.253.81.9

INCOME<50005000-10000>10000

31930

5.836.557.7

RESULTS cont…

Characteristics Frequency (N=52) % of sample

EDUCATIONUpper primarySecondaryCollegeuniversity

418282

7.734.653.93.9

BMI and frequency of fast food consumption

Weekly frequency of consumption by BMI

FOOD TYPE NON-OVERWEIGHT

OVERWEIGHT AND/OR OBESE

P VALUE

Ugali 5.5 (1.9) 5.9 (1.5) 0.121

Biscuits/cookies 6.9 (3.9) 6.7 (4.3) 0.838

Potato fries 5.6 (3.3) 5.6 (3.5) 0.953

Bhajia 7.0 (3.2) 7.0 (3.3) 0.950

Arrow roots 3.0 (1.2) 1.4 (0.5) 0.003*

Beef 5.2 (2.4) 5.4 (2.2) 0.869

Kebab 7.0 (3.6) 5.9 (3.7) 0.100

Fruits 5.4 (1.7) 3.9 (2.2) 0.008*

Vegetables 6.0 (1.5) 6.0 (1.6) 0.856

margarine 5.9 (3.6) 7.0 (3.5) 0.065

Tea 4.2 (2.7) 6.0 (1.2) 0.392

BMI and alcohol consumption

Distribution of BMI and smoking habits

Distribution of drivers by weight

Physical activity level of the drivers

FACTOR CHI SQUARE P VALUE

Age 0.622

Marital status 0.103

Monthly income 0.059

Alcohol intake 0.027*

Smoking habits 0.025*

Fast food frequency 0.0627

Physical activity 0.034*

Conclusion

Overweight and obesity is highly prevalent among bus drivers in Nairobi with the highest proportion being in the 31-38 years age group.

Lack of physical activity is associated with overweight and/or obesity among bus drivers.

The relationship between alcohol consumption, smoking habits and nutritional status of the drivers is statistically significant.

Recommendations

Nutritious foods be made available to the drivers at their work place.

Provision of nutrition education to the drivers to make them aware of the practices that lead to overweight and obesity so as to enforce nutrition conscious decisions.

Encouragement of physical activity or coming up with simple policy guidelines which should include the health benefits of reducing or breaking up prolonged sitting time.

References

WHO (2000). Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. Report of WHO Expert Consultation on Obesity. Geneva.

Abubakari AR, Lauder W, Agyemang C, Jones M, Kirk A, Bhopal RS (2008) Prevalence and time trends in obesity among adult West African populations: a meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews. 9:297-311.

Bouchard C. and Shepard RJ. (1994) Physical activity, fitness and health; the model and key concepts 1994: 77-88

THANK YOU!!!