Health perceptions, behaviours and overweight/obesity status of Turks and Caicos elementary school children: a collaborative model to address nutrition and healthy lifestyles in the TCI school curriculum

OBJECTIVE: To examine health perceptions, behaviours and overweight/obesity status of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) elementary school children. DESIGN AND METHODS: Baseline/pre-intervention data on knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours were collected via questionnaire and anthropometry to assess the impact of infusing healthy lifestyle practices into the curriculum of Grades 3 – 6 (3 experimental and 3 controls). RESULTS: Assessments were conducted on 585 children (247 boys and 304 girls), mean (ñ SD) age 10.18ñ 1.17 yrs, with boys slightly older (p = 0.06) and after-school physical activities 3.01 ñ 2.31 activities. Most were born in TCI (324 [55.4%]) while 236 (40.3%) mothers were born in Haiti; 271 (48.6%) were overweight (21.7%) or obese (26.9%); significantly more girls were overweight/ obese (60% vs. 40%; p = 0.026) Few consumed fruits (35.8%) and vegetables (45.7%) ≥ 2/day while most consumed soda (75.9%) and fast food (89.7%) ≥1/day. Logistic regression revealed consumers of ≤ 2 fruits/servings were 68% more likely to be overweight/obese (OR = 1.68). A unit increase in self-efficacy was associated with significant increases of 11% in physical activities (p <0.05); 8% and 10% in the odds of eating ≥ 2 fruits and vegetables, respectively, (p <0.05). A unit increase in perceived benefits of diet was associated with 5% increase in the odds of consuming ≥ 2 vegetables (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Children’s self-efficacy and health perceptions significantly impacted diet and physical activity, both well documented to prevent/reduce obesity. Therefore, a multifactoral approach to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent/reduce paediatric obesity and ultimately TCI’s NCD burden and health care costs was imperative.

The elderly in Trinidad: health, social and economic status and issues of loneliness / Personas de la tercera edad en Trinidad: salud, problemas y estatus social y económico, así como problemas de la soledad

OBJECTIVES: To determine the general health and social status of elderly persons surveyed in Trinidad and to explore issues of loneliness. METHOD: An island-wide survey of persons aged 65 years and older was conducted in early 2002 in Trinidad. Eight hundred and forty-five (845) elderly persons were chosen using systematic random sampling. The main survey instrument for data collection was a questionnaire that included structured as well as open-ended questions. The subjects were chosen in a house-to-house survey conducted in all eight counties in Trinidad. Elderly people who were unable to comprehend the questions were excluded from the survey. RESULTS: Those selected ranged in age from 65-102 years and represented all the ethnic groups in Trinidad. These elderly persons lived in a wide range of housing situations. The majority lived in the homes of family members (57%) and 16% lived on their own. A large proportion (80%) had at least one chronic medical problem, although 44% reported their health as "fairly good" or "good". More than a half of the males (53%) and 67% of the females were taking at least one prescribed medicine. The main sources of income were old age pension (85%) and National Insurance (15%). Thirty-three per cent reported feelings of loneliness. This figure includes 28% of those who did not live alone. CONCLUSION: The data revealed that across all ethnic groups more than one-third of the sample reported themselves to be in fair to good health. Many of these elders were lonely because their relatives were quite occupied with their own affairs.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la salud general y el estatus social de personas de la tercera edad encuestadas en Trinidad, y explorar los problemas de la soledad. MÉTODO: Se llevó a cabo una encuesta en toda la isla de Trinidad a comienzos del 2002, con personas de 65 años de edad o más. Se escogieron ochocientos cuarenta y cinco (845) personas de la tercera edad mediante un muestreo aleatorio sistemático. El instrumento principal para la recolección de datos fue un cuestionario que incluía preguntas estructuradas así como preguntas abiertas. Los sujetos fueron escogidos en una encuesta conducida casa por casa en los ocho condados de Trinidad. Los ancianos y ancianas que no podían entender las preguntas, fueron excluidos de la encuesta. RESULTADOS: Los seleccionados tenían edades entre 65-102 años, y representaban todos los grupos étnicos de Trinidad. Estas personas mayores vivían en un amplio especto de situaciones de vivienda. La mayor parte de ellos vivía en hogares de miembros de su familia (57%) y el 16% vivían solos. Un gran número de ellos (80%) tenía por lo menos un problema médico crónico, aunque el 44% reportó que su salud era "bastante buena" o "buena." Más de la mitad de los hombres (53%) y el 67% de las mujeres se encontraban tomando al menos una medicina por prescripción médica. Las principales fuentes de ingreso fueron las pensiones por vejez (85%) y Seguro Nacional (15%). El treinta y tres por ciento reportó sentirse solo. Esta cifra incluye el 28% de los que no vivían solos. CCONCLUSIÓN: Los datos revelaron que en todos los grupos étnicos, más de un tercio de la muestra reportó su estado de salud entre bueno y satisfactorio. Muchas de estos ancianos y ancianas estaban solos porque sus familiares se hallaban muy ocupados con sus asuntos.