Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: A cross-sectional study

Joma Younis; Hong Jiang; Yahui Fan; Lina Wang; Zhaofang Li; Majed Jebril; Mei Ma; Le Ma; Mao Ma; Zhaozhao Hui

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1129797

Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: A cross-sectional study

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 23:11:1129797. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1129797. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Joma Younis^{1

2}, Hong Jiang¹, Yahui Fan¹, Lina Wang¹, Zhaofang Li¹, Majed Jebril², Mei Ma¹, Le Ma¹, Mao Ma³, Zhaozhao Hui¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.
² Al-Rantisi Pediatric Specialized Hospital, Ministry of Health, Gaza, Palestine.
³ The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions that are prevalent in developing and developed countries. They are emerging as a significant public health concern among healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors among HCWs in the Gaza Strip.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit 1,850 HCWs aged 22 years and older. Interviews were carried out to collect sociodemographic information, nutritional information, and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements [height, weight, and waist circumference] were conducted with the HCWs. The body mass index was computed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Chi-square, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the variables, and logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors of overweight and obesity.

Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among HCWs was 65%. The result of logistic regression showed the risk of being overweight and obesity increased within the age group of 40-49 years (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.37-4.32; P < 0.001). Male participants had more risk of obesity than female participants (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.45-2.15). Married participants had a significantly higher risk of being overweight and obese (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 2.05-3.28; P = 0.001). Increased monthly income was significantly associated with the risk of being overweight and obese (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.22-3.83; P = 0.008). In addition, hypertension (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.65-3.78; P < 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.21-4.85; P= 0.012) were associated with overweight and obesity. Finally, a family history of NCDs was associated with overweight and obesity (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.38-2.07; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among HCWs. Age, monthly income, marital status, known hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and eating habits were associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to other variables that were not associated with overweight and obesity such as profession, vegetables, fruit consumption, and physical activity. Urgent action is needed to tackle overweight and obesity among HCWs.

Keywords: Gaza Strip-Palestine; healthcare workers; obesity; overweight; prevalence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
Female
Humans
Hypertension* / epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Middle East / epidemiology
Obesity / epidemiology
Overweight / epidemiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi (2022SF-185) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (qngz2016004 and xzy032019008). The funders had no role in the study design, implementation, analysis, decision to publish, or reparation of the manuscript.