Overweight and Its Determinants Among Non-Academic Employees in a Higher Education Institution in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study Using HBM and SEM Frameworks

Background: Overweight and obesity remain major global health concerns and are particularly prevalent in Gulf countries undergoing rapid socioeconomic and lifestyle changes. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), obesity rates exceed global averages. Despite this, limited research has focused on overweight among non-academic university employees, a group frequently engaged in sedentary administrative roles. Understanding the burden and determinants of overweight in this population is essential for developing effective workplace health promotion strategies. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and identify associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among non-academic employees in a higher education institution in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using total enumeration sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire adapted from WHO STEPS [29] and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) [30], incorporating validated HBM constructs. Standardized anthropometric measurements were obtained, and overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests assessed associations. SEM was used to examine direct and indirect pathways linking HBM constructs, lifestyle behaviors, and overweight. Results: A total of 104 employees participated (mean age 36.78 ± 8.9 years; 77.9% male). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 56.8%. Only 29.6% met WHO physical activity recommendations, and 26% reported more than nine hours of sedentary time daily. Daily fruit and vegetable intake was low, and over half reported work-related stress. No significant associations were found between overweight and most sociodemographic or lifestyle variables, except passive smoking exposure. SEM indicated that perceived barriers (β = −0.42) and self-efficacy (β = 0.37) were the strongest predictors of lifestyle behaviors, although their indirect effects on overweight were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among non-academic university employees in Ras Al Khaimah. Although SEM did not identify significant pathways to overweight, HBM constructs highlighted behavioral factors that can inform intervention design. Multi-level, theory-driven workplace health promotion strategies are needed to address physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary patterns, stress, and organizational barriers.