Impact of dropping out of the Sports for Health Program in Grenada

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there were any significant differences in body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) between active participants in the Sports for Health program and participants who were lost to drop out. DESIGN AND METHODS: Persons who were originally part of the program and data collection in 2011, but were no longer active participants were evaluated. The evaluation utilized the data from the participants at their last BMI and WHR measurements as program participants and follow up measurements as non-participants in 2014. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) was signficantly higher in persons who no longer participated in the sports for health program when compared to active program participants. In addition, non-participation of persons in the Sports for Health program was found to increase individual risk factors for chronic diseases, which were originally mitigated by participation in the program. Barriers to participation by many women in the program included lack of partner support and negative community perceptions, which influenced several women to discontinue their participation in the program. Recommendations were made in order to address the barriers to participation and to decrease the drop out rate in the Sports for Health program in Grenada. CONCLUSION: Non-participation in the Sports for Health program adversely affects persons BMI and WHR, therefore, increasing risk factors for several non-communicable chronic diseases.