Reza Amani, Fereshteh Boustani.
Prevalence of obesity and dietary practices in Jondi-Shapour University female personnel, Ahvaz, Iran.
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;24(4):748-52.

Objective: To evaluate the obesity prevalence and dietary practices in all female personnel working in administrative positions at Ahvaz Jondi-Shapour University, Iran. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, all 101 University female staff working in administrative and executive posts in the range of 20-45y were interviewed and semi-quantiative food frequency questionnaires, some features of lifestyle patterns and anthropometric indices were evaluated. Results: Overweight and obesity were detected in 34.6 and 40.6 percent of women, respectively, and central obesity was prevalent in 27% of them. Women with bachelor degree had less percent body fat (%BF) and body mass index (BMI) than those with lower educational degrees (31.8±5.6 vs. 35.5±5.8 percent; p<0.002 and 25.5±3.9 vs. 28.5±4.5kg/m²;p<0.003). About 30% of the subjects used to eat biscuits and dates as snacks at the working time. Moreover, except breads, the score of consuming other food groups based on food guide pyramid was low. The higher vegetable oil was associated with the more %BF (p<0.05). On the other hand, 83% of individuals had engaged in nor daily neither weekly habitual physical activity programs. Repeated weight loss programs were reported with more %BF gain (p<0.05). Conclusions: Obesity and overweight rates are highly prevalent in University female staff and the higher educational level is associated with less percent body fat (%BF). High-calorie snacks and sedentary lifestyle are among the main reasons of getting more fats in women working in administrative jobs and they need to control their snacks and to include more physical activity programs in their daily lifestyle schedules.

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