title: Health status of primary school educators in low socio-economic areas in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are major health concerns in South Africa. According to the life cycle approach NCD prevention strategies should target children. Educators are important external factors influencing behaviour of learners. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of selective NCD risk factors in educators of primary school learners.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional design was used to assess the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), blood glucose (BG), cholesterol (BC), blood pressure (BP), perceived health and weight, and parental NCD history of 517 educators in the Western Cape of South Africa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample included 40% males and 60% females; 64% urban and 36% rural, 87% were mixed ancestry, 11% white and 2% black. Mean age for the total group was 52 ± 10.1 years, BMI 30 ± 1.2 kg/m(2) (31% overweight, 47% obese), diastolic BP 84 ± 10.0 mmHg, systolic BP 134 ± 18.7 mmHg (46% high BP), BG 4.6 ± 2.3 mmol/L (2% high BG), BC 4.4 ± 0.9 (30.4% high BC) and WC 98 ± 14.1 cm for males (38% high WC) and 95 ± 15.3 for females (67% high WC). BMI was higher (p = 0.001) and systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.005) BP lower in females. Rural educators were more obese (p = 0.001). BMI (p = 0.001) and systolic BP (p = 0.001) were lower in younger educators. Correct awareness of personal health was 65% for BP, 79.2% for BC and 53.3% for BG. Thirty-eight percent overweight/obese females and 33% males perceived their weight as normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study demonstrated a number of characteristics of educators in the two study areas that may influence their risk for developing NCDs and their potential as role models for learners. These included high levels of obesity, high blood pressure, high waist circumference, high cholesterol levels, and high levels of blood glucose. Furthermore, many educators had a wrong perception of their actual body size and a lack of awareness about personal health.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, UCT Medical campus, Anzio Road, Anatomy Building, Floor 2, Room 2.04, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. Marjanne.Senekal@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Marjanne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Senekal
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, UCT Medical campus, Anzio Road, Anatomy Building, Floor 2, Room 2.04, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. zibuyile.seme@kznhealth.gov.za.
authors.forename: Zibuyile
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Seme
authors.affiliation: Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC), Francie van Zyl Ave, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa. Anniza.deVilliers@mrc.ac.za.
authors.forename: Anniza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Villiers
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, UCT Medical campus, Anzio Road, Anatomy Building, Floor 2, Room 2.04, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. nelia.steyn@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Nelia P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Steyn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology