Derek A Tuoyire1, Sarah McNair2, Samuel A Debrah3, Rosemary B Duda2,4. 1. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 2. Harvard Medical School, 250 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 4. Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. SETTING: Out-patient department of the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana. PARTICIPANTS: Adult men and women at least 18 years old. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perception of risk for hypertension, overweight/obesity. RESULTS: About 39% of the participants (N=400) were found to be overweight/obese, with disproportionally higher rates among women (50%) than men (28%). Results of the binary logistic regression models revealed a strong positive association (OR = 2.21, 95% CI =1.23, 3.96) between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. Increasing age, high television exposure, female gender and being in a relationship were also noted to be associated with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for the design of programmes to help individuals appreciate the reality of weight-related health risks, as well as the need to embrace lifestyles that promote healthy weight outcomes. FUNDING: Harvard Medical School Travelling Fellowship, Scholars in Medicine Office, Harvard Medical School.
BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. SETTING: Out-patient department of the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana. PARTICIPANTS: Adult men and women at least 18 years old. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perception of risk for hypertension, overweight/obesity. RESULTS: About 39% of the participants (N=400) were found to be overweight/obese, with disproportionally higher rates among women (50%) than men (28%). Results of the binary logistic regression models revealed a strong positive association (OR = 2.21, 95% CI =1.23, 3.96) between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. Increasing age, high television exposure, female gender and being in a relationship were also noted to be associated with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for the design of programmes to help individuals appreciate the reality of weight-related health risks, as well as the need to embrace lifestyles that promote healthy weight outcomes. FUNDING: Harvard Medical School Travelling Fellowship, Scholars in Medicine Office, Harvard Medical School.
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