Anniza de Villiers1, Marjanne Senekal2, Johanna Nel3, Catherine E Draper4, Estelle Lambert4, Nelia P Steyn2. 1. Non-communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town. 2. Division of Nutrition, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town. 3. Department of Logistics, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch. 4. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town.
Abstract
Background: The HealthKick (HK) study showed that educators (teachers) had a high prevalence of risk factors for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Little data are available on parents or other primary caregivers of learners from disadvantaged schools. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine modifiable risk factors for the development of NCDs in a sample of caregivers of schools included in the HK intervention program. Participants: Caregivers of grade 4 children from 25 schools were invited to take part in the study and 175 participated. Caregivers were Black Africans and of mixed ethnic origin. Methods: Dietary intake was measured using a validated frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was measured by completing the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Caregivers described their smoking habits and alcohol usage. Weight and height were measured for each participant and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: Eighty percent women and 50% men had a BMI ≥25 (overweight or obese). The most frequently consumed categories of foods were processed foods, energy-dense foods, and high-fat foods representing unhealthy food choices. More than half of the total group (81.7%) and both males and females were meeting physical activity recommendations of 600 METs/week. Many caregivers, particularly men (53%), smoked cigarettes and reportedly consumed alcohol during the week and on weekends. Conclusion: Caregivers of children in the HK study population presented with a large number of modifiable health risk behaviors. These results highlight the importance of engaging caregivers, as part of a whole school intervention, to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Background: The HealthKick (HK) study showed that educators (teachers) had a high prevalence of risk factors for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Little data are available on parents or other primary caregivers of learners from disadvantaged schools. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine modifiable risk factors for the development of NCDs in a sample of caregivers of schools included in the HK intervention program. Participants: Caregivers of grade 4 children from 25 schools were invited to take part in the study and 175 participated. Caregivers were Black Africans and of mixed ethnic origin. Methods: Dietary intake was measured using a validated frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was measured by completing the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Caregivers described their smoking habits and alcohol usage. Weight and height were measured for each participant and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: Eighty percent women and 50% men had a BMI ≥25 (overweight or obese). The most frequently consumed categories of foods were processed foods, energy-dense foods, and high-fat foods representing unhealthy food choices. More than half of the total group (81.7%) and both males and females were meeting physical activity recommendations of 600 METs/week. Many caregivers, particularly men (53%), smoked cigarettes and reportedly consumed alcohol during the week and on weekends. Conclusion: Caregivers of children in the HK study population presented with a large number of modifiable health risk behaviors. These results highlight the importance of engaging caregivers, as part of a whole school intervention, to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Authors: S Havas; J Heimendinger; K Reynolds; T Baranowski; T A Nicklas; D Bishop; D Buller; G Sorensen; S A Beresford; A Cowan Journal: J Am Diet Assoc Date: 1994-01
Authors: Denis L Viljoen; J Phillip Gossage; Lesley Brooke; Colleen M Adnams; Kenneth L Jones; Luther K Robinson; H Eugene Hoyme; Cudore Snell; Nathaniel C O Khaole; Piyadasa Kodituwakku; Kwadwo Ohene Asante; Richard Findlay; Barbara Quinton; Anna-Susan Marais; Wendy O Kalberg; Philip A May Journal: J Stud Alcohol Date: 2005-09
Authors: Catherine E Draper; Anniza de Villiers; Estelle V Lambert; Jean Fourie; Jillian Hill; Lucinda Dalais; Zulfa Abrahams; Nelia P Steyn Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-07-06 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Anniza de Villiers; Nelia P Steyn; Catherine E Draper; Jillian Hill; Lucinda Dalais; Jean Fourie; Carl Lombard; Gerhard Barkhuizen; Estelle V Lambert Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-08-22 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Anniza de Villiers; Nelia P Steyn; Catherine E Draper; Jean M Fourie; Gerhard Barkhuizen; Carl J Lombard; Lucinda Dalais; Zulfa Abrahams; Estelle V Lambert Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-09-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Tatum Lopes; Annalise E Zemlin; Rajiv T Erasmus; Samukelisiwe S Madlala; Mieke Faber; Andre P Kengne Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-02-19 Impact factor: 3.295