The Centre for Social Sciences Research (CSSR) and the  Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa  (IDCPPA) at the University of Cape Town invite you to join us for a lunchtime seminar on 15 April 2025 at 12:45pm. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Derrick Sekgala.

About the Seminar:

Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome in male taxi drivers: A focus on street food.

In South Africa, the demanding nature of taxi driving marked by long hours, minimal rest, and high stress often leads drivers to unhealthy coping behaviors such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity, all of which heighten the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (Mets).

This cross-sectional study investigated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with Mets among 185 male taxi drivers in Cape Town. The study found a high prevalence (70%) of Mets among taxi drivers, with older drivers (≥40 years) facing three times the risk. Sedentary lifestyles and spending over 100 ZAR/day on street food significantly increased MetS risk. Diets high in processed meat, fried snacks, and sugary drinks further raised risk, while avoiding takeaway/fried foods reduced it by 68%. Common health issues included abnormal waist circumference, low HDL-C, and hypertension. These findings highlight the drivers' vulnerability to MetS due to poor diet, inactivity, and stress, calling for targeted public health interventions like healthier food options at transport interchange, and exercise promotion.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Sekgala is a public health researcher with a PhD in Public Health. He is a Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Science Research, at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Prior to joining the CSSR, Derrick has worked with research institutions such as the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), contributing to various projects. Dr. Sekgala has nearly ten years of experience in quantitative research, with a strong background in non-communicable diseases, nutrition-related cardiometabolic disorders, and the social determinants of health.

 15 April 2025
 12:45 - 14:00 SAST
  CSSR Seminar Room, 4.29 Robert Leslie Social Science Building, UCT

Hosted by the Centre for Social Science Research and the Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa