Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: A gradual shift towards western-oriented diet of black population has been reported over the past for decades, the changes can be attributed the migration, urbanization, accumulation, education and economic development. The negative aspects about the changes is that it pose a rising demand to women on time for food preparation a results they purchase convenience foods to cope with time pressure in the preparation of meals. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of employed women in Makhado location of Limpopo Province. Methods: A descriptive and exploratory design was used. Quantitative method was also used in the study to gather information. Snowballing sampling design was used to recruit 120 participants aged 25-45 years old. Results: About 63.3% of the participants were overweight, while 23.3% were having normal body weight and 6.7% were obese and 6.7% extremely obese. Of 63.3% who were overweight 43.3% were eating fast food more frequently and 53.3% earning high income. Almost all the participants (96.7%) indicated that they eat fast food such as KFC, pizza and ice cream. However, 53.3% of the participants indicated that they eat their meal three times per day, 40% eat meal twice per day, while 6,7% indicated that they eat meal four times per day. Conclusion: High income, time limitation and workload have influence on employed women eating habits and it constitutes barriers for their healthy food habits.

Biography

Email: tshifhiwa.mandiwana@univen.ac.za