Designated by weights: Obesity among university employees

Abstract

The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among employees of a University in Ghana were investigates using data from annual staff medical screening conducted in 2013 (N = 1857). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between underweight, overweight and obesity, and potential risk factors. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from two anthropometric measures (height and weight) which were measured during the screening exercise, and categorised as follows: underweight (BMI<18), normal (BMI = 18–24), overweight (BMI = 25–29), obese (BMI = 30–39) and morbidly obese (BMI >39). Of all staff, 6% were underweight while 44% were overweight/obese. Also, 47% of females and 43% of males were overweight/obese, respectively. By staff designation, 70% of Senior Members were overweight/obese while 50% and 37% of Senior and Junior Staff, respectively, were overweight/obese. After adjusting for potential confounders, Senior Members were more likely to be overweight (AOR = 2.8 CI = 1.9–4.1) or obese (AOR = 4.6 CI = 3.0–7.2) compared to Junior Staff. Similarly, Senior Staff had 1.6 times the risk of both overweight (CI = 1.3–2.1) and obesity (CI = 1.1–2.3) compared to Junior Staff. Being a female independently increased the chances of being obese (AOR = 2.2; CI = 1.6–3.1) than being a male. The findings suggest that the emerging epidemic of obesity in Ghana, as often reported, might be an underestimation of the situation among those in higher SES. Targeted obesity intervention among higher SES groups is necessary.