RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of self-reported weight of overweight and obese women and characterisation of under-, correct- and over-reporters based on a number of related variables. DESIGN: Weight was self-reported before entering the study. At baseline, actual weight was recorded, and demographic, health, nutritional, psychological and physical activity questionnaires were completed. SETTING: A hospital outpatient department. SUBJECTS: Participants were 131 women aged 18-64 years with a body mass index attending a Comprehensive Weight Management Programme. OUTCOME MEASURES: The accuracy of self-reported weight was investigated for the total group, and the subjects were then categorised into three groups according to accuracy of self-reported weight (under-, correct- and over-reporters). The relationship between these accuracy groups and demographic, health, nutritional, and psychological variables and physical activity was examined, to characterise the under-, correct- and over-reporters. RESULTS: Although not statistically significantly different, the total group of women tended to underestimate their weight by 0.8 (+/-3.6) kg. Categorisation according to the accuracy groups revealed that 29% underestimated their weight by 2 kg or more, 19% overestimated their weight by 2 kg or more, and only 52% correctly estimated their weight within 2 kg. Some trends and statistically significant differences between the accuracy groups concerning certain variables, e.g. height, age, income, education, contraceptive pill usage, smoking and food choices were evident. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported weight of a group of overweight/obese individuals may be a valid and reliable indicator of actual weight, but self-reported weight of an overweight/obese individual can not be interpreted similarly. Further research is necessary to ensure reliable characterisation of under-, over- and correct reporters.
Asunto(s)
Peso Corporal , Obesidad/psicología , Autorrevelación , Adolescente , Adulto , Estatura , Índice de Masa Corporal , Escolaridad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Servicio Ambulatorio en Hospital , Fumar , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its risk factors in a working class peri-urban community in South Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 1996, where all persons aged 15 years and older, who were resident in randomly selected houses in Mamre, 55 km from the centre of Cape Town, were sampled. Subjects underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were obtained and physical activity was assessed using a 7-day activity recall questionnaire. The 1985 WHO criteria were used to define diabetes. RESULTS: The response rate was 64.5% (n = 974). The participants comprised 56% women, 44% men, mean age 37.6 (range 15-86) years. The crude prevalence of Type 2 DM was 7.1% and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) 8.0%. The age-adjusted prevalence of Type 2 DM was 10.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.2-13.5%) and IGT 10.2% (95% CI 7.7-12.8%). Regression analysis indicated that age (risk ratio (RR) 7.40, 95% CI 3.45-15.86), waist circumference (RR 4.53, 95% CI 2.04-10.05), low total energy expenditure (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07-2.56) and family history of diabetes (RR 2.31, 95% CI 1.42-3.77) were independent risk factors for Type 2 DM, while sex, obesity and regular alcohol consumption were not. CONCLUSIONS: This previously unstudied community has an intermediate prevalence on the international scale of Type 2 DM, which is linked to potentially modifiable risk factors.
Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Población Urbana , Adolescente , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas , Estudios Transversales , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/diagnóstico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/fisiopatología , Escolaridad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Clase Social , SudáfricaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken at a community health center (CHC) in the Cape Peninsula in order to assess the treatment status, knowledge and experiences of hypertensive patients. In addition, a health indicator sheet for hypertension was evaluated and an attempt was made to identify predictors of blood pressure (BP) control at this clinic. METHODS: Two hundred two hypertensive patients were selected by interviewing the first available hypertensive patients. The patients' BP was measured electronically and by sphygmomanometer, and was compared to that recorded by the clinician on their clinic folders; heights and weights were also determined. RESULTS: Of the hypertensives, 41.6% had a BP above 160/95 mm Hg and only 42.1% had a BP below 140/90 mm Hg. Patients had little knowledge of either the consequences of hypertension or the actions needed to ensure that complications were prevented; 31% suggested home remedies for hypertension. The majority of the patients were satisfied with the service they received, but 47% complained about long waiting times, 37% felt that the doctor did not examine them adequately, and 15.5% reported that insufficient medication was provided when filling prescriptions. Urine and eye tests had been conducted infrequently during the previous two years. Thirty percent of the patients requested the return of the dedicated hypertension clubs. Conditional logistic regression models identified that patients who expressed the need to make proposals to the clinic staff about their care had better BP control than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The BP of hypertensive patients is not optimally controlled at this CHC and both non-drug and drug management of hypertension need to be improved. Steps should be taken to help hypertensive patients become more knowledgeable so that they may play more active and compliant roles in their hypertension care. Patients also suggested that dedicated hypertension clubs be reinstituted at the CHCs.
Asunto(s)
Centros Comunitarios de Salud , Hipertensión/terapia , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Atención Primaria de Salud , Factores de Riesgo , Sudáfrica/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The objective was to collect information from African and white pupils aged 15-16 years on their knowledge of and attitudes towards cancer, and their understanding of health-related behaviours in relation to their future experience. Questionnaires were completed by a series of 338 African and 378 white pupils in suburban secondary schools. African and white pupils knew most about lung cancer, and had some knowledge of skin and breast cancers. Smoking was seen by most as the chief cause of the disease. Half of both groups perceived a high intake of vegetables and fruit as protective. Television and printed media were the most important sources of information. The children in both groups were more anxious about unemployment and violence, and also, among African children, about AIDS, than about future ill-health. Thus, health was not perceived by many as the most important goal in life. Discussion indicates that white adolescents and also white adults, with more advanced understanding of cancer causation, make very limited use of their knowledge, dietary and non-dietary, to avoid the disease. In brief, level of cancer knowledge has very limited implications. Although young Africans in the course of their transition are very unlikely to seek to diminish their risk of cancer, there must be no lessening of urgent warnings and advice through the media on the avoidance of the disease.
Asunto(s)
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Neoplasias/prevención & control , Neoplasias/psicología , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Población Negra , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias/etiología , Sudáfrica , Población Suburbana , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Población Blanca/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
This study describes the anthropometry of an urban black population living in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. A random sample of 986 selected adults aged 15-64 years and 163 children aged three to six years, included data on heights, weights, and mid-upper arm circumferences and calculation of the body mass index (BMI). The mean height of men was 168.3 cm and that of women 158.3 cm. Mean weight, BMI and mid-upper arm circumference for men were 66.2 kg, 23.4 and 28.1 cm and for women 69.8 kg, 27.8 and 30.6 cm respectively. The prevalence of underweight in men (BMI < 20) was 19% and in women (BMI < 19) 3.7%; 22% of the men were overweight (BMI > or = 25) and 7.9% obese (BMI > or = 30), while 36.4% of women were overweight (BMI > or = 24) and 34.4% obese (BMI > or = 30). More than half of the women above the age of 35 years were obese. Anthropometry of the three to six year old children was calculated for stunting, wasting and underweight, expressed in terms of the National Centre for Health Statistics standards, and revealed co-existing evidence of growth retardation and wasting with emergent obesity. These findings suggest that a part of this community, who may have been nutritionally deprived during childhood, has moved from undernutrition to extreme overnutrition without having achieved optimal nutritional status. Complexities that need to be considered when planning strategies to address malnutrition in the black South African population are identified.