Dietary patterns and associated cardiometabolic risk factors among teachers in Makhado Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes are major contributors to morbidity and mortality. Diet is a modifiable risk factor, yet limited evidence exists on its influence on cardiometabolic outcomes among South African teachers.
Aim: To identify dietary patterns and examine their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors among teachers in Makhado Municipality, Limpopo province.
Setting: Rural public schools within Makhado Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 teachers selected using stratified random sampling. Data included demographic information, blood pressure, fasting glucose (FG), lipid profiles and anthropometry. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire that reflected habitual intake. Exploratory factor analysis identified dietary patterns. Associations were analysed using nonparametric tests in STATA version 17 (p < 0.05).
Results: Six dietary patterns emerged: mixed, Western, meat-free, Mediterranean fish-free, animal starch product and low-carbohydrates and Mediterranean. The mixed pattern was associated with systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03). The Western pattern was associated with total cholesterol (p = 0.04) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.02). Meat-free and Mediterranean fish-free patterns were associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.03), while the animal protein fruit pattern was associated with FG (p = 0.02).
Conclusion: Distinct dietary patterns were associated with cardiometabolic risk among teachers, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate dietary interventions.
Contribution: This study provides context-specific evidence that may inform the development of culturally appropriate nutrition interventions, workplace wellness programmes, and primary health care policies aimed at improving cardiometabolic health and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases among teachers.