VI has highest overweight & obesity in Latin America & Caribbean
The survey which was conducted since 2009 was sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) among students, ages 13 to 15 years old, from forms 1 through 5. This represented some 1,664 students where the students self-reported their responses.
The results were presented today Friday November 18, 2011 at the University of the West Indies centre in Paraquita Bay, by PAHO’s Family and Community Health Advisor Dr. Betzabé Butrón where school counselors, teachers and public health officials were part of the meeting and participated in discussions of how best to address the situation.
Dr. Butrón stated that the Virgin Islands is experiencing a problem that is similar to other countries that were surveyed and it was more important to acknowledge that there is a huge problem and it was important to find solutions.
The results showed that in the Virgin Islands, it recorded the highest obesity rate among the age group of students, with boys recording 36 percent and girls 37.
In other countries that also took part in the survey, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Guyana, the majority was between 20 and 30 percent.
As for the percentage of students who were obese, the Virgin Islands statistical figure stood the highest as well with both boys and girls at 17 percent. The majority of countries were between 5 and 10 percent.
The survey included questions on alcohol use, dietary behaviours, drug use, hygiene, mental health, physical activity, protective factors, sexual behaviours, tobacco and violence and unintentional injury. It is designed to, among other things, help countries develop priorities, establish programmes, and advocate for resources for school health and youth health programmes.
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