Predictors of metabolic syndrome among teachers in under-resourced schools in South Africa
Baseline findings from the KaziHealth workplace health intervention.
We are happy to share the latest article published by our research group: Predictors of metabolic syndrome among teachers in under-resourced schools in South Africa: Baseline findings from the KaziHealth workplace health intervention, now available in PLOS Global Public Health https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0004681. This study sheds light on the health challenges faced by teachers in low-resource school environments and highlights key areas for intervention.
Supporting teacher health in low-resource schools: What we learned from the KaziHealth study
Non-communicable diseases (like heart disease and diabetes) are responsible for most deaths around the world. In South Africa, teachers working in schools with limited resources often face major health challenges, but their wellbeing is rarely studied. This research looked at the health of 168 teachers from under-resourced schools in Gqeberha to better understand the risks they face.
More than half of the teachers (58%) had metabolic syndrome — a group of health problems that raise the risk of serious illness. The most common issues were overweight and high blood pressure. Many teachers were not physically active enough (44%), and over half ate more fat than recommended (53%).
The study found that older age and eating too much fat were linked to higher chances of having metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, being more physically active and having a higher income helped protect teachers from these health problems.
These findings highlight the urgent need for health programs in schools that support teachers to move more and eat healthier. But improving health also means addressing deeper issues, like income inequality and limited access to healthy food and safe spaces for being physically active.
For further information, please contact MSc Nandi Joubert (nandi.joubert@clutterswisstph.ch), Prof. Dr. Jürg Utzinger (juerg.utzinger@clutterswisstph.ch) or Prof. Dr. Cheryl Walter (cheryl.walter@cluttermandela.ac.za).