ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to determine lifestyle and anthropometrics status of secondary school teachers in Uzo-uwani local government area of Enugu state. Data for this report was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 177 teachers. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on personal, socio-economic characteristics, socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary pattern. Information on anthropometry was also determined using standard methods. Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist-hip-ratio were calculated. Data obtained from the study were subjected to statistical analysis, using statistical package for social sciences version 23. The results of the different variables collected revealed that many of the respondents 56(31.6%) were within the ages of 30-35 years. Information on educational status showed that all the respondents attained tertiary education. Information on the lifestyle shows that little above half (50.8%) consumes alcohol, most (87%) consumes carbonated drinks while 9.6% smoke cigarette. Also, 77.4% performed physical activity, many 54.8 spent 60-120minutes on physical exercise in a week currently. Dietary habit profile of the respondent shows that 61.6% skipped meal. Breakfast was the most skipped meal (32.2%) followed by lunch (24.3%). More of the respondents (31.1%) eat snacks twice in a week while 25.4% eat snacks once in two days, 43.5% eat fruit and vegetable thrice in a week. The anthropometric characteristics of secondary school teachers shows that the male participants had a mean weight, height, hip circumference, waist circumference, body mass index and waist hip ratio of 70.53kg, 1.73m, 95.77cm, 85.40cm, 23.62kg/m² and 0.89 respectively, whereas, the females had a mean weight, height, hip circumference, waist circumference, body mass index and waist hip ratio of 68.90kg, 1.85m, 101.48cm, 89.43cm, 24.64kg/m² and 0.88 respectively. BMI result showed that the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity among secondary school teachers in the study area was 2.3%, 62.1%, 29.4% and 6.2% respectively. The result of waist-Hip-ratio (WHR) shows that 40.1% of the respondents had abdominal obesity out of which (63 were females and 8 males). A little above half (54.3%) of the male participants had low risk of metabolic diseases as only a few (8.5%) had high risk, while a majority (75.9%) of the female participants in the study had high risk of metabolic disease. The relationship between lifestyle and BMI status shows that there was significant relationship on physical exercise, time spent on physical exercise, meal skipping and meal skipped. This study demonstrated high prevalence of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle; together with high prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity. Health and nutrition education and other interventions to promote healthy eating habits and lifestyle, especially among high risk groups are suggested.