Physical activity and metabolic risk factors in relation to lifestyle behaviour among employees in the Vhembe District municipality of Limpopo Province

Abstract

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour as daily habits are considered major causes of metabolic syndrome (MetS); hence, MetS is a highly prevalent health problem among employees. Therefore, increasing physical activity in daily life is considered important for the prevention of metabolic syndrome. The objectives of the study were as follows/the following: 1. To determine the relationship between selected metabolic risk factors and waist-to-height ratio among employees in the Vhembe District municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. 2. To investigate the relationship between obesity and blood pressure among employees in the Vhembe District municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. 3. To examine the relationship between physical activity, lifestyle behaviour and metabolic disease risk among employees in the Vhembe District municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 535 participants (men = 249; women = 286) employees (aged 24−65 years). Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants’ lifestyle habits (smoking and alcohol consumption), and anthropometric, blood pressure, fasting glucose and total cholesterol measurements were undertaken using standardised protocols. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. The results of the first objective showed that fasting glucose was positively associated with the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Furthermore, the results showed that 25 per cent of the total participants had elevated levels of fasting glucose; women (3.8%) were more affected than males (3.2%). The results of the second objective showed that participants were classified as overweight (27%) and obese (34%), with women being more overweight (29%) and obese (48%) compared to men (24% and 17% respectively). Twenty-five percent of the participants were hypertensive with women (27%) showing a higher prevalence compared to men (22%). Based on BMI categories the obese group (35%) had a higher prevalence of hypertension in contrast to groups that were of normal weight (18%) and overweight (22%). The results also showed that all measures of body composition correlated positively (p≤0.05) with systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the normal weight group and overweight group. Waist circumference (WC) correlated significantly with SBP (r=0.23) and WHtR correlated positively with both SBP (r=0.26) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r=0.19). The results of the third objective showed that 55% employees had metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria, with males having a higher percentage (87%) of MetS compared to females (26%). The results also showed that the total group of employees who participated in low physical activity (PA) had a propensity to develop MetS (odd ratio {OR} 1.17) in contrast to those who engage in moderate to high physical activity. Men classified as having a low physical activity index (PAI) showed a significantly higher risk of MetS than those with a moderate to high PAI after adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, PA and BMI (OR 5.20; 95% confidence interval {CI}:1.77−15.28). Among participants without MetS, alcohol consumption was positively correlated with DBP, SBP, BMI and WC (r =0.200; p=0,004). Smoking was positively associated with DBP in participants with MetS (r=0.158; p=0.01). The results further indicated non-significant inverse correlations between PA and MetS risk factors (all MetS riks factors). Based on the results of this study, an urgent need to develop culturally sensitive health promotion and lifestyle education programmes addressing the risk factors of MetS among municipality employees in Vhembe District.