Factors associated to overweight and obesity among adolescents at Dendron high school Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are abnormal excessive fat accumulations in adipose tissue to the extent that it may have adverse effects on the health and well-being of the individual. Overweight and obesity are important modifiable risk factors for many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type2 diabetes. Food consumed away from home, fast food and sugary food leads to adolescents overweight and obesity. Overweight and obese adolescents tend to buy junk foods because they are cheap. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated to overweight and obesity among adolescents at the Dendron High School, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted among 340 adolescents learners at the Dendron High School. A close ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the 340 adolescents. A stratified random sampling method was used to select learners to participate in the study. This type of sampling was used because learners were in different classes and different grades. The researcher obtained a complete list of all Grade 8 to Grade 12 learners attending the Dendron High School. The researcher took a register in each grade, given every name a code, put their names in a pot and randomly selected the participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the height and the weight of the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0, which is a statistical software programme. Results: the study results revealed that the majority of adolescents, at 12 9(37.9%), were overweight, while 171 (50.3%) were obese. The results further revealed that adolescents over consumed sugary food, at 185 (54.4%), starchy food, at 283 (83.2%), fizzy drinks, at 219 (64.4%), and fast food, at 155 (90.0%). In Conclusion: There is a need for nutrition education campaigns targeted at adolescents and educators to reduce overweight and obesity. Nutrition education should be a continuous effort. Efficient and effective school policies must be implemented for provision of quality food.