Determinants of obesity among rural adolescents in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The increased prevalence of obesity is due to a decreased level of physical activity and increased intake of fast food. Furthermore, obesity among children and adolescent is a risk factor for life-threatening conditions including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), Cardio-metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer and reproductive disorders. The aim of this study is to describe the determinants of obesity. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 377 adolescents aged 13 to 20 years from 16 secondary schools in Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District Limpopo Province, South Africa. Information about socio-demographic characteristics, household income, disease family history, and level of education of parents was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference were taken by trained field workers and body mass index (BMI), and the waist-hip ratio were determined. Biochemical measurements and clinical assessment were done by a professional nurse following standard procedures. The prevalence of obesity is 22.2% in males and 32.6% in females by abdominal obesity by (waist circumference), whilst 11.1% (males) and 28.3% (females) by waist to hip ratio (WHR). Gender ({beta}=0.32, p=0.018, 95%CI); age ({beta}=1.28, p=0.015, 95%CI); source of income ({beta}=3.25, p=0.008, 95%CI) and systolic blood pressure ({beta}=1.04, p=0.01, 95%CI) were associated with obesity. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in females than in males in Thulamela municipality. There is a need to bring up children and adolescents in a health-promoting environment in an effort to reverse and stop the increasing trend of overweight and obesity.