Overweight in the pluri-ethnic adolescent population of New Caledonia: Dietary patterns, sleep duration and screen time

Abstract

Background A high prevalence of overweight and obesity has been found in adolescents of New Caledonia and other Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Although Westernization may contribute to the weight gain in populations of Oceanian, Non-European, Non-Asian ancestry (ONENA), little is known about the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with overweight in the Melanesian and Polynesian adolescents of New Caledonia. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a pluri-ethnic sample of New Caledonian adolescents (N = 954; age M = 13.2 years) completed a survey to estimate sleep duration, screen time, and dietary pattern using a food frequency questionnaire. Demographic data (gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status: SES, area of residence) were collected, and anthropometric measures were used to compute weight status. Findings We found a higher risk for being overweight in Melanesian (OR = 1.67) and Polynesian (OR = 5.40) adolescents compared with European adolescents, even after controlling for age, SES, area of residence, dietary pattern, sleep duration and screen time. We also found that low SES (OR = 3.43) and sleep duration (OR = 0.65 per hour) were independently associated with overweight status in the European but not in ONENA adolescents. Interpretation In this study, the main contribution to being overweight was ethnic background, i.e. being Melanesian or Polynesian. The hypothesis of a genetic influence thus seems attractive and merits further analyses. Funding This project was funded by the University of New Caledonia and the Fondation Nestlé France.

Physical Activity in Adolescents Living in Rural and Urban New Caledonia: The Role of Socioenvironmental Factors and the Association With Weight Status

“…Globalization, trade liberalization and increasing urbanization have all contributed to shifts in PA and diet, leading to a steadily increasing prevalence of overweight (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35). The Polynesian and Melanesian populations of the French territories in the Pacific are particularly exposed to lifestyle Westernization (36)(37)(38)(39). New Caledonia has the particularity of approaching the economic level of Western countries due to industrial and mining activities.…”

‘Eating well’ in Pacific Islands countries and territories: A qualitative and normative approach to food cultures in New Caledonia

“…Generally speaking, the young acquire the same good or bad food habits as their parents and often fall prey to advertising that encourages the overconsumption of food and sugary drinks (Frayon, Cherrier et al 2017). The behavioural determinants of childhood obesity are now seen in New Caledonia, including high consumption of television and web media and a lack of physical activity (Galy, Yacef & Caillaud 2019), the result being a higher risk for being overweight in Melanesian and Polynesian adolescents compared with European adolescents of 11 to 16 years old (Frayon, Wattelez, Paufique et al 2020).…”

Associations between weight status, body satisfaction, ethnic identity and self‐esteem in Oceanian adolescents

“…Adolescents of Oceanian Non‐European Non‐Asian ancestry (ONENA) (ie, Melanesian and Polynesian) tend towards more traditional, collectivist and Pacific lifestyles and norms, whereas European/white and other ethnic groups have adapted to more Westernized lifestyles 20 . The prevalence of overweight in New Caledonian adolescents was recently reported to be high, especially among ONENA adolescents 21 …”