Relationship between selected metabolic risk factors and waist-to-height ratio among employees in Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background and Objective: Relationship between metabolic risk factors and waist-to-heigh t (WHtR) in population studies are well known. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship betwee n selected metabolic risk factors and waist-to-height ratio among employees in Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, the following anthropometric and metabolic variables were asses sed in 535 (Men = 249,Women = 286) local government employees (aged 24-65 years) of the Vhembe district, Limpopo province based on standardized protocols: Body Mass Index (BMI),waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), cholesterol (mmol L G 1 , TC) and fasting blood glucose (mmol L G 1 , FG). Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics version 21. Results: Majority (84.6%, males: 85.1%, females: 3.5%) of the participa nts were ground maintenance workers. The participants (65.2%) were classified as overweight (21.3%) and obese (43.9), females (20.6-60.5%) being more overweight and obese as compared to males (22-25%). Twenty-five percent of the total participants had an elevated level of fasting glucose, females (3.8%) being more af fected than males (3.2%). Fasting glucose was positively associated with th e BMI, Waist circumference (WC) and WHtR, especially in the gro unds maintenance workers. Conclusion: Female employees were more overweight and obese than their mal e counterparts. Furthermore, fasting glucose was high among the employees, with female being more affected than the males. Municipality managers had high levels of total cholesterol as compared to the ground maintenance work ers. It was evident that fatness was positively associated with elevated fasting glucose. From a public health perspective, the current results indicate the need for urgent strategic health promotion intervention among the employees in the Vhembe Local Municipality