Prevalence and clustering of selected cardiometabolic risk factors among school teachers in a rapidly growing municipality in Ghana

Abstract Background Cardiometabolic risk factors frequently cluster, elevating the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In sub-Saharan Africa, rapid urbanization is accelerating this burden, yet evidence from occupational groups remains limited. Teachers constitute a major workforce, but patterns of cardiometabolic risk accumulation in this population are not well characterized. Methods A cross-sectional study of 166 teachers in a Ghanaian municipality assessed three cardiometabolic risk components: elevated blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg), overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²), and impaired fasting glucose (≥ 7.0 mmol/L). A composite risk score (0–3) was created, with elevated risk defined as ≥ 2 components. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, family history, and anthropometric data were collected. Logistic regression examined associations between waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and elevated cardiometabolic risk, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol use, and family metabolic history. Results Elevated cardiometabolic risk was present in 15.1% of teachers. Prevalence of individual components was 30.1% for elevated blood pressure, 23.5% for overweight/obesity, and 13.9% for impaired fasting glucose. Teachers with elevated risk were older and had markedly higher WHR (p < 0.0001). High WHR remained strongly associated with elevated risk in adjusted models (adjusted OR = 4.80, 95% CI: 3.20–7.10), while age, sex, smoking, alcohol use, and family history showed no independent associations. Conclusions Cardiometabolic risk clustering was common among teachers, and central adiposity was strongly associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. Workplace-based screening and interventions targeting abdominal obesity may support early prevention of noncommunicable diseases in rapidly urbanizing settings. Clinical Trial Registration This study was not a clinical trial.