Walking as a feasible means of effecting positive changes in BMI, waist, and blood pressure in black South African women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a structured walking intervention could reduce obesity-related metrics (BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure) in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Results Summary
The walking intervention group showed significant improvements in BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure compared to the control group, which experienced increases in these metrics. The study suggests that walking can be an effective intervention for obesity-related outcomes.
Population
115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province, South Africa.
Effective Dosage
30 minutes, 3 days per week on treadmills.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for a period of 12 weeks on treadmills | decrease | BMI | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | -0.80 | absolute changes in BMI | #1 |
walking for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for a period of 12 weeks on treadmills | decrease | waist circumference | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | -1.50 | absolute changes in waist | #2 |
walking for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for a period of 12 weeks on treadmills | decrease | systolic blood pressure | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | -4.02 | absolute changes in systolic BP | #3 |
walking for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for a period of 12 weeks on treadmills | decrease | diastolic blood pressure | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | -2.37 | absolute changes in diastolic BP | #4 |
continue with usual activities | increase | BMI | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | +1.05 | absolute changes in BMI | #5 |
continue with usual activities | increase | waist circumference | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | +1.73 | absolute changes in waist | #6 |
continue with usual activities | increase | systolic blood pressure | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | +4.64 | absolute changes in systolic BP | #7 |
continue with usual activities | increase | diastolic blood pressure | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | +4.94 | absolute changes in diastolic BP | #8 |
- | neutral | body size discrepancy | 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province | most had a desire for thinness | results of the FID analysis showed | #9 |
BACKGROUND: In the context of a growing obesity pandemic in sub-Saharan African countries little is known on how to address the problem /disease in the region. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial of walking to decrease obesity was conducted using 115 women employed at the University of Venda, Limpopo province. 49 of these participants were randomly selected into an intervention group, which walked for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for a period of 12 weeks on treadmills located in the university gym. The control group were instructed to continue with usual activities. Baseline and follow-up body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), body size discrepancy (measured by a feel-minus-ideal (FID) index), and physical activity were collected on all participants. RESULTS: The absolute changes in BMI, waist, systolic and diastolic BP in the intervention group was -0.80, -1.50, -4.02 and -2.37, respectively. In contrast, the absolute changes for these were +1.05, +1.73, +4.64 and +4.94, respectively in the control group. The results of the FID analysis showed that most had a desire for thinness. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrates that positive changes in BMI, waist, and BP were observed in the intervention group, indicating the potential scalability of the intervention.