Anthropometric Status and Blood Glucose Level of Public Secondary School Teachers in Abeokuta South LGA, Abeokuta, Ogun State, South west, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
 
Diabetes mellitus is a serious medical issue which is characterized by elevated plasma glucose levels and it has a crippling effect on humans. A descriptive cross-sectional study design involving one hundred and sixty-five (165) teachers was conducted to assess the anthropometric status and blood glucose level. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were obtained and classified accordingly. Blood glucose test taken with a glucometer and food consumption pattern assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Data was analyzed using SPSS V.20.0. Majority of the respondents were females (75.8%), between the ages 41-50years (54%), belong to Yoruba ethnic group (93.3%) and were married (83.6%). Anthropometric measurements indicated 30.3% and 21.2% as overweight and obese respectively. Blood pressure measurements showed 29.2% within normal blood pressure level. Blood glucose tests revealed 80.1% and 3.6% had normal and low blood glucose levels respectively while 1.8% were diabetic and 14.4% were pre-diabetic. More than half (66.7%) of the respondents skipped meals, and (64.2%) engage in snacking. There was significant association (p<0.05) was observed between anthropometric status, blood glucose level and some socio-demographic characteristics. In conclusion, high prevalence of pre-diabetes, overweight, irregular blood pressure levels alongside poor dietary habits was observed among the teachers sampled. Therefore, there is a need to advance necessary awareness and enlightenment of the public about the risk factors associated with the development of diabetes.