Anthropometric, physiological and biochemical parameters in relation to perceived stress and lifestyle diseases among correctional services staff in the Amathole Region, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen significantly in the past three decades, with marked variations across countries in the levels and trends in overweight and obesity with distinct regional patterns. Physical inactivity has increased in South Africa as the country develops, with increasing urbanization and modernization, technology, and low physical activities at workplaces. Correctional Services staff tend to suffer from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, orthopaedic conditions, high cholesterol, overweight, and obesity due to insufficient physical activity engagement. Aims and objectives: The study aimed to assess the anthropometric, physiological, biochemical parameters in relation to stress and lifestyle diseases of correctional services staff in the Amathole region, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 81 Correctional Services Staff in the Amathole Region, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The employees' health status, anthropometric, physiological, biochemical parameters, and perceived stress were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Data were expressed as mean +/- SD for quantitative variables or numbers and percentages for categorical variables. An independent sample T-test was used to assess statistical differences between males and female correctional service staff. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship strength and linearity of the anthropometric, physiological, and biochemical parameters. A direct logistic regression was employed to predict the indicator variable. Results: The results showed that just over two-thirds (67%) of the participants reported not being ready for exercise. Nearly 94% of the study population were categorized as either overweight, obese, severely obese, or morbidly obese. Approximately three-quarters (74%) of the respondents reported moderate to high- perceived stress levels. Approximately 40% of the population were at risk determined by the Waist to Hip Ratio. Furthermore, waist circumference, 43% and 77% of the study population were categorized as obese, male and female participants, respectively. Over three-quarters, (79%) of the study population were diagnosed with elevated high pressure, stage 1 and 2 hypertension, or a hypertensive crisis. A minimum of 18% and 17.3% of the study population were diagnosed with Pre-diabetic and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, respectively. An analysis of gender group differences showed overweight, obesity, and Body Fat Percentages were prevalent among females. The results further showed a positive increase in abdominal fat accumulation with age; thus, the Weight Circumference of the participants was significantly high. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was common among male and female correctional services staff, with a significantly lower Body Fat Percentage for males compared to females. However, upon further investigation, males' Waist to Hip Ratio was significantly higher than for female correctional services staff. Perceived stress scores for male participants were significantly lower compared to female participants. An analysis of staff member group differences showed that support staff's body fat percentage was significantly lower than top management and middle management groups. There was also a statistical difference in the Waist to Hip Ratio for the three managerial groups. More than three-quarters of the correctional services staff were classified with moderate (65.4%) to highstress levels (8.6%). Direct logistic regression was performed to assess the influence of several independent variables on the likelihood that participants would be classified as Obese. The results indicated that 80.2% of the participants were correctly classified before the model was conducted. Another direct logistic regression analysis was employed to predict stress among Correctional Services Staff found that age made a statistically significant contribution to the model, while the most robust predictor to report high stress was not getting enough exercise. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are prevalent among Correctional Services Staff, putting them at risk for developing lifestyle-related diseases. Workplace health promotion is significant in preventing non-communicable diseases among Correctional Services Staff to reduce medical costs, increase disability incidents, reduce morbidity, mortality and improve work productivity. The role of physical exercise in the development of stress and decreasing obesity is central to addressing these issues in the workplace.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Movement Science, 202