Physical Activity, Dietary Intake and Human Health Status

Obesity, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension previously common in developed countries have now become a Public Health concern in sub-Saharan Africa and a common problem in urban centers. Documentation for such health problems are urgently needed in Kenya. The groups at risk are the middle and high social class individuals due to their comparatively high income that makes them pay low income earners to do manual work for them. Such groups may include top managers of companies, university lecturers, top government officials, top businessmen or women among others and especially those living and working in urban environments. In as much as a larger percentage of the poor may suffer from undernutrition and related illnesses, the middle and affluent classes are at risk to suffer from illnesses attributable to over consumption of high calories and rich fatty foods in addition to leading sedentary lifestyle. Such illnesses may lead to death or interfere with functional capabilities of these productive individuals. This book highlights how physical activity and/or diet relates to human health statusin a crossectional correlation design.