Abstract
Background / Rationale: Due to the speed and magnitude of the unprecedented weight increases over
the last 20 years, obesity has become the number one nutritional concern at a
national public health level. One of the biggest contributing factors is
sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise. According to the Department of Health
and Human Services, the prevalence of obesity among adults in
Purpose: To identify demographic characteristics,
weight, and weight goals in women working in sedentary jobs in rural
southeastern
Methods: A descriptive design was used to evaluate self-determined weight goals, weight-related physiologic variables, and weight control strategies. Participants completed the following measures: 1) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) questionnaire, a standardized survey developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 2) demographic data, including height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). An open-ended question was used to determine weight control strategies.
Results: The
predominantly Caucasian (90%) sample of 40 women, with a mean age of 46.2
years, worked in sedentary jobs an average of 14.38 years (SD 10.04), with an
average number of hours sitting on the job at 7.66 hours (SD 1.53). The average self-reported weight was 161.6
pounds with an average height of 64.8 inches, and the average BMI was 27.2,
indicating that 55% of the respondents were overweight or obese. Seventy-seven
percent indicated that they wanted to lose weight while 20% wanted to maintain
their current weight. The average amount of desired weight loss was 24.15
pounds with 82.1% reporting that they were trying to increase their amount of
daily exercise. The mean reported days/week respondents participated in
moderate exercise was 2.55 days, for an average of 28.68 minutes/day. Respondents spent an average of 20.25
minutes/day on vigorous exercise on less than one day/week. Most frequently identified barriers to
physical activity were work schedule, and lack of time and energy.
Conclusions: Despite
high rates of desire to lose weight, slightly more than half of the respondents
remained overweight or obese. Approximately two thirds of the sample reported
that they did not do anything daily to keep themselves physically fit. The results of the study highlight the need
for a greater emphasis on the benefits of regular exercise and adequate
nutritional education for women working in sedentary jobs.
Implications: The
results of this study provide valuable information for health care providers
and other professionals who are interested in developing weight loss educational
programs and interventions for persons working in sedentary occupations.