ArticleHealth SA = SA Gesondheid2026
Prevalence of overweight, obesity and central adiposity among grade seven adolescents in urban Tshwane, South Africa.
Article in Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: The global increase in overweight and obesity among adolescents is a significant public health priority, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In South Africa, urbanisation and lifestyle changes have exacerbated this challenge, but there is a lack of disaggregated data available to inform effective local responses. Aim: To assess and describe the prevalence of overweight, obesity and central adiposity in Grade seven adolescents in urban Tshwane, South Africa, and explore its association with socioeconomic characteristics. Setting: The study was conducted in five diverse fee-paying public primary schools in urban Tshwane, Gauteng province. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design recruited 164 adolescents aged 11-14 years. Anthropometric measures were performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. These included a survey of height and weight to derive body mass index (BMI-for-age) z-scores, as well as waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR). Socioeconomic status was assessed using the validated Family Affluence Scale. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine the association between categorical variables. Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.7%, with a greater burden among girls (36.4% of 12 year olds) compared to boys (16.7%). The risk of central adiposity (WHtR ≥ 0.5) was found in 25% of participants, with 7.3% at very high risk. Household income was significantly associated with obesity ( Conclusion: The high prevalence of excess adiposity, particularly among female adolescents, indicates an emerging cardiometabolic risk profile among the group. Contribution: This study addresses a critical gap in South African public health literature by providing locally specific, disaggregated data on the nutritional status of urban adolescents in Tshwane, a cohort that is underrepresented in contrast to conventional rural or national surveys.
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