Objective: Childhood obesity is increasingly being recognized as a major public health problem in the Caribbean. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term, school-based, multi-component education intervention on improving the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of primary-school children towards better dietary and activity habits. Design: The study was a randomized, controlled, school-based nutrition education and physical activity intervention. Participating schools were randomly assigned to the intervention (IVG) and non-intervention (NIVG) groups. Setting: All primary schools in Sangre Grande, north-east Trinidad. Subjects: Five hundred and seventy-nine pupils in their sixth year of primaryschool education were enrolled from twelve schools in Sangre Grande, north-east Trinidad.Results: Approximately 23 % of participants had BMI $ 85th percentile of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age-and gender-specific cut-off values. In multivariate regression equations controlling for age, gender, BMI and baseline value, intervention was associated with lower intake levels of fried foods, snack foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) and sodas (P , 0?05). In similar analyses, intervention was associated with higher knowledge scores (P , 0?01). Intervention was not significantly associated with physical activity and Children's Eating Attitude Test-26 (ChEAT26) scores after controlling for age, gender, BMI and the relevant baseline values. Conclusions: The intervention was associated with lower intake levels of fried foods, HFSS foods, sodas and higher knowledge scores independent of age, gender, BMI, ethnicity and the appropriate baseline value. Finally, the intervention was not associated with changes in physical activity behaviours in multivariate analyses.

Background: Diet is a significant contributor to health and wellbeing of individuals. Aim: In this study we investigated patterns of dietary intakes, levels of nutrient inadequacies and associated sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors among adults in Trinidad and Tobago. Method: The study was cross-sectional in nature. A convenience sample of 11783 persons from districts throughout Trinidad and Tobago completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic and lifestyle items. Anthropometry was self-reported with 15% of participants having measurements done according to recommended procedures. Dietary patterns were determined by principal component analysis (PCA) while nutrient intakes and adequacy were assessed using the NutriGenie 7.0 software and nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) respectively. Foods were categorised as unprocessed/minimally processed and processed/ultra-processed. The University of The West Indies Ethics Committee approved the study. Results: Approximately 72.5% of participants met the Goldberg criteria for plausible reporting. The three predominant dietary patterns ‘Typical’, ‘Fruits and Vegetables’, and ‘High Fat’ explained 45% of the total variance in foods consumed. Processed/ultra-processed foods accounted for most of the energy (80%) and nutrients consumed. Nutrient inadequacies were observed for potassium, vitamins B12, D, E, K, fibre, magnesium; and iron among females. The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) for participants was 67%. MAR was positively associated with predominant dietary patterns independent of socioe demographic and lifestyle factors (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Irrespective of their nature, the predominant dietary pattern was associated with nutrient adequacy among participants. Reducing the risk of inadequate nutrient intakes may be addressed by increasing availability, access and consumption of appropriate sources of these micronutrients.

In this study we compared the diagnostic utility of several anthropometric and body composition measures in predicting elevated fasting blood sugar (FBS). Participant had overnight FBS analyzed with a hand‐held automated glucometer (Basic One‐touch Ultra). Waist circumference (WC), height (Ht) and weight(Wt)were measured using standard procedure. These were used to calculate BMI and waist circumference‐to‐height ratio (WHr). Percentage body fat (%BF) was measured by foot‐to‐foot bioelectric impedance (Tanita UM026).To determine diagnostic utility of the various measures, sensitivities, specificities and area under the operator receiver curve (AUC) were computed using recommended cut‐off values. 157 persons participated in the study (females = 90; males = 67). FBS was significantly correlated with Wt, WC, fat mass, and BMI in both groups. %BF was significantly associated with FBS in females only. Sensitivities for the various anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values range from 53%‐85% in males and 61%‐100% among females. Specificities range from 45%‐88% in males and 42%‐79% among females. AUC analyses suggest that BMI>25, WC, WHr were be superior indices for predicting elevated FBS among females only. Our results suggest that among participants several indices were useful in predicting FBS, however, this ability to predict was gender specific.

ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the ability of various anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values in predicting fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood pressure (BP) and HDL cholesteroal levels in a group of healthy volunteers.MethodsParticipants had fasting finger‐stick blood sugar and HDL cholesterol measured with hand‐held automated monitors(One Touch Ultra and Cardio Chek PA respectively). Blood pressures was measures on both arms after ten minutes of rest in the sitting position using an automated blood pressure monitor(Omron HEM 712C). the average of four readings was used as the indexed blood pressure. In addition, antropometry was measured using standard procedure. Percentage body fat (%BF), visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass was measured with the OMRON Full Body Sensor (HBF‐510W). Participation in the study was voluntary.ResultsNinety‐eight persons (58 females and 43 males) participated in the investigation. Anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values had low sensitivities (3%–50%) and high specificities (70%–100%) in detecting elevated FBS,BP and HDL cholesterol levels.ConclusionOur findings suggest similar predictive ability among the various anthropometric and body composition cut–offs in detecting elevated blood sugar, blood pressure and HDL among participants.

Objectives To evaluate the distribution and correlates of foods consumed among persons 18–65 years. Methods Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of dietary, demographic and lifestyle items. Anthropometry was self reported with 15% of participants having weight and heights measured using recommended procedures. Dietary intakes were analyzed for nutrient composition using the NutriGenie 7.0 software. Foods were categorized by the level of processing as unprocessed/minimally processed or processed/ultra-processed. Inadequate intakes were categorized as energy-adjusted nutrient intakes &lt; estimated average reference intake (EAR) or average intakes (AI) according to the Institute of Medicine 2006 recommendations. Dietary patterns were determined by principal component analysis (PCA). The study was approved by The University of the West Indies Ethics Committee. Participation was voluntary follow oral and written consent Results Altogether, 11783 persons (females = 6743; males 5040) participated in the study. Approximately 72.5% of participants reported habitual plausible energy intakes (i.e., a Goldberg ratio of 1.35–2.40). Mean calorie intakes were higher in males than females (2771 ± 674 vs. 2270 ± 599 kcals; P &lt; 0.001). Persons of South Asian- and Mixed-descents were more likely that those of African-descent to report plausible intakes of calories. PCA reveal three predominate dietary intake patterns designated ‘Typical’, ‘Fruit and Vegetables’, and ‘Prudent’ that explain 44% of the variance in nutrient adequate diets. Process/ultra-process foods accounted for 83% of calories consumed and 60–80% of micronutrient intakes with the exception of potassium, vitamin C, folate and fibre. Overall nutrient inadequacies were noted for potassium, magnesium, vitamins D, E, &lt; K and fibre; and vitamin B12 and iron among females. Conclusions Among participants process/ultra-processed foods were the main sources of nutrients. Furthermore participants may be at risk for inadequate intakes of key nutrients. Our food policy needs to create an environment that fosters availability and consumption of nutrient- rather that energy-dense foods. Funding Sources Self funded.