Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Blood Pressure Levels Among HIV Sero-Positive and Sero-Negative Cohorts: A Secondary Analysis of the Vukuzazzi Study.

Background: The effect of hypertension is aggravated by lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption. This study sought to determine the association between alcohol consumption and the level of blood pressures among HIV seronegative and seropositive cohorts.

Methods: This secondary analysis was performed on a cross-sectional survey data of 17 922 participants during the period between 2018 and 2020.

Increased endothelial biomarkers are associated with HIV antiretroviral therapy and C-reactive protein among a African rural population in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) endothelial dysfunction (ED) and chronic inflammation in the HIV-positive adults population who are on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are not fully explored. We determined the effect of HAART on chronic inflammation and ED among HAART-exposed adults in a rural setting. Weight and height were measured to quantify the body mass index (BMI).

A Non-Invasive Investigation into the Prevalence of Higher than Normal Blood Pressure, Hypertension and the Association between Blood Pressure and Body Weight in Male and Female Adolescents in the Polokwane Local Municipality, Limpopo-South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Hypertension (HT) is one of the greatest non-communicable diseases affecting both sexes in all human populations; and it is a major cause of death and morbidity across the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pre-hypertension, hypertension and investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) and body weight (looking into body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA)).

Method: A cross-sectional study of adolescents aged 13-19 years was conducted at three secondary schools consisting of 121 females and 97 males.

Diagnostic accuracy of tri-ponderal mass index and body mass index in estimating overweight and obesity in South African children.

Background: Prevalence of obesity in youths has drastically increased in both industrialised and non-industrialised countries, and this transition resulted in an increased prevalence of chronic diseases.

Aim: The study aimed to comparatively examine prevalence of overweight and obesity status based on tri-ponderal mass index and body mass index in estimating body fat levels in South African children.

Setting: The study was conducted in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa.

Diagnostic comparison of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and International Obesity Task Force criteria for obesity classification in South African children.

Background: This study was designed to estimate overweight and obesity in school children by using contrasting definitions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF).

Method: The sample size consisted of 1361 learners (n = 678 boys; n = 683 girls) aged 9-13 years who were randomly selected from Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa. A cross-sectional and descriptive design was used to measure the children's anthropometric characteristics.

Low levels of physical activity in female adolescents cause overweight and obesity: are our schools failing our children?

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents is a global health problem. In developing countries such as South Africa, this increase is often associated with urbanisation and the adoption of a Western lifestyle. Two aspects of the Western lifestyle that contribute to the development of overweight and obesity are a decrease in physical activity levels and an increase in the consumption of energy-dense food, high in fats and refined sugar.