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The association of nutrition behaviors and physical activity with general and central obesity in Caribbean undergraduate students

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Date
2015-10
Author
Wright, Melecia
Adair, Linda
James, Caryl
Amuleru-Marshall, Omowale
Peltzer, Karl
Pengpid, Supa
Samuels, T. Alafia
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Abstract
Objective. To quantify the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related factors in a crosssectional,observational study of Caribbean students using the results of three recent surveys of health behavior among undergraduates in Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica. Methods. A total of 1 578 Caribbean undergraduate students from Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica (ages 18–30 years) completed questionnaires and had physical measurements recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for the association of nutrition behaviors with prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2); elevated waist-toheight ratio (W/ht) (> 0.50); and high waist circumference (WC) (> 88 cm in females, > 102 cm in males). Models were adjusted for age, year in university, socioeconomic status, and sex. Results. There was a higher prevalence of obesity (13% versus 10%), high WC (21% versus 7%), and high W/ht (35% versus 25%) in females relative to males. Compared to females, males had reduced odds of obesity (OR 0.46), high WC (OR 0.22), and high W/ht (OR 0.61) (P < 0.05 for all). Both females (46%) and males (24%) reported high levels of physical inactivity. Fruit and vegetable consumption was low (approximately two servings per day). Many students reported avoiding fatty foods (40%); this behavior was associated with high W/ht (OR 1.68), obesity (OR 1.90), and high WC (OR 1.82) (P < 0.05 for all). Irregular breakfast consumption, age, and year of study were also positively associated with obesity. Physical activity was not significantly associated with any obesity measure. Conclusions. There was a low prevalence of healthy behaviors and a high prevalence of obesity in this sample of Caribbean young adults.
 
Objetivo. Cuantificar la prevalencia de la obesidad y los factores relacionados con esta mediante un estudio transversal y de observación de estudiantes del Caribe, que utilizó los resultados de tres encuestas recientes sobre comportamientos con respecto a la salud en estudiantes de pregrado de Barbados, Granada y Jamaica. Métodos. Un total de 1 578 estudiantes de pregrado caribeños de Barbados, Granada y Jamaica, de 18 a 30 años de edad, completaron cuestionarios y se sometieron a una serie de mediciones antropométricas, que fueron registradas. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística multivariable para calcular las razones de posibilidades (OR) de las asociaciones de los comportamientos nutricionales con la prevalencia de obesidad (índice de masa corporal ≥ 30 kg/m2); índice cintura-talla (ICT) elevado (> 0,5); y circunferencia de la cintura (CC) elevada (> 88 cm en mujeres, > 102 cm en hombres). Los modelos se ajustaron para la edad, el número ordinal del curso universitario, la situación socioeconómica y el sexo. Resultados. Se observó una mayor prevalencia de obesidad (13 frente a 10%), CC más elevada (21 frente a 7%) e ICT más elevado (35 frente a 25%) en las mujeres que en los hombres. En comparación con las mujeres, los hombres mostraron menores probabilidades de obesidad (OR 0,46), CC elevada (OR 0,22) e ICT elevado (OR 0,61) (P < 0,05 para todos ellos). Tanto las mujeres (46%) como los hombres (24%) notificaron altos niveles de inactividad física. El consumo de frutas y verduras era bajo (aproximadamente de dos raciones por día). Muchos estudiantes notificaron que evitaban los alimentos grasos (40%); este comportamiento se asoció con ICT elevado (OR 1,68), obesidad (OR 1,90) y CC elevada (OR 1,82) (P < 0,05 para todos ellos). El consume irregular en el desayuno, la edad y el número ordinal del curso universitario también se asociaron positivamente con la obesidad. La actividad física no se asoció significativamente con ninguna medición de obesidad. Conclusiones. En esta muestra de adultos jóvenes del Caribe se observó una Baja prevalencia de comportamientos saludables y una alta prevalencia de obesidad.
 
Translated title
Asociación de los comportamientos nutricionales y la actividad física con la obesidad general y central en estudiantes de pregrado del Caribe
Series
Rev Panam Salud Publica;38(4),oct. 2015
Subject
Obesity; Diet; Exercise; Barbados; Grenada; Jamaica; Caribbean Region; West Indies; Dieta; Ejercicio; Obesidad
URI
https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/18376
https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/18376
Citation
Wright M, Adair L, James C, Amuleru-Marshall O, Peltzer K, Pengpid S, et al. The association of nutrition behaviors and physical activity with general and central obesity in Caribbean undergraduate students. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2015;38(4):278–85.
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