To our knowledge the present study is the first to examine the covariates of childhood overweight or describe school food availability and physical activity built environments in Haiti. Further research is necessary to identify intervention targets and feasible, cost-effective approaches for prevention of obesity in Haiti children.
SummaryObjectiveThis study examined the link between worksite environmental supports for nutrition behaviours and sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and offers insight into potential intervention points for reducing SSB consumption and combatting overweight and obesity.MethodsPerceived worksite supports for healthy nutrition and self‐reported SSB consumption were analysed for 2,015 working adults in the state of Missouri using a subset of questions from the Supports at Home and Work for Maintaining Energy Balance (SHOW‐ME) study.ResultsEmployees' use of vending facilities and the availability of water coolers/water bottles was significantly associated with increased SSB consumption, while use of cafeterias was significantly associated with decreased SSB consumption. Symbols or signs to identify healthy alternatives were significantly associated with sports drink consumption.ConclusionsThis study supports previous work indicating the worksite as a necessary environment for nutrition interventions. When choices (vending and cafeteria) are provided, employees report making healthier decisions. For worksites without cafeterias, alternatives should be explored including mobile food trucks and farmer's markets.
This study aimed to characterize metal contaminant concentrations and assess temporal and spatial variability in the main drinking water sources of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. Water sources from five communities were sampled in two seasons, June (2014) and October (2014), and analysed for a suite of metals. A geographic information system was used to examine the spatial distribution of sampling points. Metal concentrations were below the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) primary drinking water standards. Mean manganese concentrations were comparatively higher in wells (254.5 µg/L), exceeding the USEPA secondary drinking water standard (50 µg/L). Higher mean Mg/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios (range 2.3-3.4) may indicate different interactions between seawater and groundwater throughout the year. Although metal concentrations were within the limits of the USEPA drinking water standards, emerging contaminants, such as manganese, showed concentrations in excess of recommended limits. These metals may interact with background nutritional status with potential implications for growth and development.
Objectives An exploratory assessment of physical activity (PA) to identify covariates of PA behaviors in Haitian adolescents. Methods Students from two urban schools participated in two different data collection methodologies: a self-reported survey (n = 100) assessing school, transportation, and leisure-time PA; an objective accelerometry study (n = 55). Self-reported diet behaviors were also collected. Parent and non-parent caregivers reported demographic data. Logistic regression identified potential correlates of PA; PA was operationalized as meeting the World Health Organization's recommendation (WHO REC) of ≥60 minutes of moderate/vigorous PA per day for adolescents. Results Self-reported data. The school PA model showed age (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 0.66, 6.31), gender (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 0.40, 4.97), and dietary diversity score ([DDS]; OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.17, 1.90) were significantly associated with WHO REC. Age (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.55, 6.53), gender (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.19, 3.03), DDS (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 0.99, 1.57), and caregiver's occupation in the market (OR = 5.66; 95% CI = 1.27, 25.20) were significant correlates of WHO REC in the transportation PA model. The leisure-time PA model found gender (OR = 3.95; 95% CI = 1.09, 14.33), DDS (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.09, 1.74), and bringing a snack/meal to school (OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 1.18, 14.67) to be significant covariates of WHO REC. Objective data. The model of accelerometry PA identified age (OR = 4.17; 95% CI = 1.31, 55.79), gender (OR = 48.19; 95% CI = 22.16, 77.92; female reference group), DDS (OR = 4.48; 95% CI = 1.12, 16.76), and household access to a flush toilet (OR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.46, 64.45) as significant correlates of WHO REC. Conclusions As nutrition transition is underway in Haiti, so is the onset of the dual burden of malnutrition; PA can alleviate the negative health consequences of both phenomena, but heretofore such data have been unavailable for Haiti. Results support a) early adoption of policies and programs for PA and nutrition together and b) future investigation into Haitian PA behaviors and their sociocultural determinants. Funding Sources This study was funded by the Public Health Cubed Grant of the Washington University Institute of Public Health and the Brown School of Social Work International Dissertation Research Award.
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