May 2018 Wellness Corner
In 2016, a study was conducted in the University to assess the Employees’ Wellness and Well-being. Included in the study were the regular and fulltime faculty, formators and staff of the college and professional schools.
In the study, the participants were measured, in terms of their weight, height and waistline. Using the Matrix developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH, 2015).
Classification | BMI Range | Obesity Class | Disease Risks | |
Men ≤40 inches Women ≤35 inches | Men >40 inches Women >40 inches | |||
Underweight | <18.5 | |||
Normal | 18.5-24.9 | |||
Overweight | 25.0-29.9 | Increased Risk | High Risk | |
Obese | 30.0-34.9 | I | High Risk | Very High Risk |
Very Obese | 35.0-39.9 | II | Very High Risk | Very High Risk |
Extremely Obese | ≥40 | III | Extremely High Risk | Extremely High Risk |
Using the NIH Matrix, the participants of the study were classified accordingly:
Waist Circumference & Associated Risk | Frequency | Percentage | |
Extremely High Risk | 40.0-45.0 | 9 | 6.67 |
Very High Risk | 35.0-39.9 | 29 | 21.48 |
High Risk | 30.0-34.9 | 42 | 31.11 |
Increased Risk | 25.0-29.9 | 54 | 40.00 |
Less Risk | 19.0-24.9 | 1 | 0.74 |
Total | 135 | 100 |
Out of 135 employees who were both surveyed and measured, fifty-four or 40% were classified as having “Increased Risk” of Developing Lifestyle-related Diseases, while 42 (31%) and 29 (21%) were classified as having “High Risk,” and “Very High Risk,” of developing Lifestyle-related Diseases, respectively. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Lifestyle-related Diseases, otherwise known as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) or Chronic Diseases, include Cardio-vascular diseases, like heart attack and stroke, cancers, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (Willett et al., 2018) , Chronic or Lifestyle-related Diseases can be controlled only through lifestyle change, which include, changes in diet, avoidance of tobacco use, maintaining healthy weight, limiting sedentary lifestyle (watching television or playing computers) and maintaining or engaging in daily physical activity.
As part of the University’s response to the study and earlier surveys, the University, through the Human Resource Office (HRO), the Health Services Office (HSO) and the University Athletics Office (UAO) organized Year-round Wellness, Fitness and Sports Program. The program includes 3x weekly aerobic exercise and Basketball, which is scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
The program is open to all faculty, formators and staff of the University. In response also to the opinion survey conducted through the HRO, the University Wellness is also open to family members, as guests.