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With advancement in technology, computerization and mechanization had dominated workplace which subsequently exposed working individuals to higher risk of overweight and obesity. This study aims to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among employees in academic worksite settings and the factors associated with it. The participants of this study involved 608 full- time government employees, comprised of teachers, lecturers and support staffs. The primary outcome measure was body weight status, computed using body mass index (BMI). A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information of sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity are 41.9% and 23.2% respectively with no association between BMI status and gender. There was an association between education level and BMI status (P=0.033). The prevalence of overweight and obesity are higher among age groups of 40-49.9 and 30-39.9 years old respectively (P=0.001) as well as in high- income earners group (P=0.017). In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study were higher than the general population. Higher socioeconomic status and age group were found to be associated with obesity.
Keywords: Obesity, worksite setting