Author(s): Ayodeji Ayodele Fabunmi, Odumesi Olufemi Olufemi and Abiodun E Orotokun

Abstract:
World health organization data shows that prevalence of overweight and Obesity increased twenty percent between 2002 and 2010 and this is becoming a serious public health problem. Secondary school teachers are believed to be physically inactive with a high possibility of accumulating body fat. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of obesity among secondary school teachers in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State. The study was a cross sectional survey. Percentage body fat, body weight and height were measured. Body mass index was calculated from weight and height of each participant using the Quetelet Index formulae (W/H²). Three hundred and forty-five secondary school teachers (247 females and 98 males) were randomly selected from 10 secondary schools within Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State voluntarily participated in the study. Age range of participants was 22- 59 years with mean age of 43.53 ±7.11 years. Six (1.7%) teachers were underweight, 156 (45.2%) teachers were within normal range of BMI, 114 (33.0%) teachers were found to be overweight, 43 (12.5%) were classified under obese I, 22 (6.4%) teachers were classified under obese II and 4(1.2%) teachers were classified under obese III. In all Sixty nine (20.1%) teachers were classified as obese. The result of this study also showed that there is a significant direct relationship between weight, percent body fat, body mass index and age. There was also significant direct relationship between weight, percent body fat, body mass index and length of service as teachers. It was concluded that almost half of the participants were either overweight or obese.

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