Association Between Nutritional Knowledge, Dietary Regimen, and Excess Body Weight in Primary School Teachers

Abstract

Introduction: Peru is one of the developing countries with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in Latin America and Caribbean region. Primary school teachers are identified as a high-risk group for overweight and obesity. However, studies conducted in this population group are limited. This study evaluated the association between nutritional knowledge, dietary regimen, and excess body weight in primary school teachers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 151 teachers from two state schools in the eastern region of Lima, Peru. The level of nutritional knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Dietary regimen was also determined. The body mass index (BMI) was determined through self-reported weight and height. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between possible risk factors with excess body weight among teachers. Results: Inadequate nutritional knowledge level (AOR = 5.21, 95% CI: 1.31–20.93), being male teachers (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.13–4.45), and being married (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.17–5.30) were the significant predictors of excess body weight. In contrast, vegetarian teachers were less likely to have excess body weight (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.47–0.97). Conclusion: Future intervention programs should include improving nutritional knowledge with greater attention to male and married teachers to decrease the risk of excess body weight.