Evaluation Of Social Cognitive Factors Associated With Body Composition Of Civil Servants In Umuahia North Local Government Area Of Abia State

ABSTRACT

 This study was carried out in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State to evaluate the social cognitive factors associated with body composition of civil servants. The sample size of the study comprised of 200 civil servants. A validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on the belief, attitude, and knowledge and consequences of underweight and overweight respectively. The Anthropometric measurements of the respondents were obtained and calculated and compared with a reference standard. The study showed that 3 1.5% of the respondents were normal, 59.5% of them were overweight while 9% of them were obese. BMI was significantly associated with the way they appreciate themselves (X2=11.35, P = 0.023). The waist circumference had the highest significance in this study, because it was significantly associated with their perception (X2= 9.33, P = 0.053), appreciation of their present body composition, (X2 13.264, P = 0.001), susceptibility to underweight (X2=13.87, p = 0.001), and overweight respectively(X2=7.43, P=0.024). The waist-hip ratio was significantly associated with their ability to assess their nutritional status (X2= 7.52, P = 0.023).