The Lifestyle Habits and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Profiles of Staff Within a Provincial Tertiary Institution in South Africa

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a rising burden in many parts of the world including South Africa. There is a strong relationship between CVD, type II diabetes and obesity. The CVD risk and health status of employees in tertiary institutions remains of high concern, as limited studies have been conducted in this area.

OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to determine the: CVD risk factor profile; possible risks of other NCDs; and lifestyle habits i.e. physical activity, nutritional/dietary habits, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption of university employees.

METHODS: A cross-sectional design was conducted on academic and non-academic (professional) staff members from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Purposive sampling of staff within the School of Health Sciences were selected to participate in this study. The data collection included health/fitness screening questionnaires, selected anthropometric measurements and non-fasting blood tests.

RESULTS: Seventy-five staff members with a mean age of 39.71 years old voluntarily participated in this study. A significant number of staff members presented with a moderate CVD risk profile. Body fat percentages were significantly higher for females than for males. In addition waist circumference measures indicated possible risks for Type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The overall lifestyle habits were adequate to poor.

CONCLUSION: There is an imperative need for workplace health interventions to improve CVD risk profiles and the susceptibility to other NCD’s among staff in tertiary institutions.