The burden of underweight and overweight among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background Obesity and overweight are rising worldwide while underweight rates persist in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity among non-pregnant women aged 15-49 years, and its socio-demographic correlates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods The data are from 2000, 2005 and 2011 nationally representative Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys in Addis Ababa. The dependent variable was women’s nutritional status measured in terms of body mass index coded in binary outcomes to examine risk of being underweight (\u3c18.5 kg/m2 vs. ≥18.5 kg/m2) or overweight/obese (\u3e25 kg/m2 vs. ≤25 kg/m2). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the strength of associations. Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity increased significantly by 28%; while underweight decreased by 21% between 2000 and 2011. Specifically, the prevalence of urban obesity increased by 43.3% i.e., from 3.0% to 4.3% in about 15 years. Overall, more than one-third (34.7%) of women in Addis Ababa were either under or overweight. Women’s age and proxies for high socio-economic status (i.e. household wealth quintile, educational attainment, access to improved source of drinking water, and television watching) were positively associated with being overweight. The correlates of underweight were young age and proxies for low socio-economic status (i.e. low wealth quintile, limited access to improved source of water or toilet facility). Conclusions There is a need for policies to recognize the simultaneous public health problems of under and overnutrition, and for programs to target the distinct populations that suffer from these nutrition problems in this urban area

Promotion of Drinking Water Among Latino Immigrant Youth

Objective: To design an innovative intervention to increase drinking water behaviors among Latino immigrant youth. Methods: We conducted two rounds of focus groups, totaling 10 sessions (n=61), with Latino immigrant youth, aged 6-18 years, living in Langley Park, Maryland. Participants were stratified into focus groups by age group (elementary, middle, and high school) and language preference (Spanish and English). A professional, bilingual-speaking moderator used a semistructured discussion guide to examine: (1) what youth preferred to drink in different settings and why, (2) their reactions to promotional messages, (3) slogans that would entice them to drink more water in school and at home, and (4) concept testing. The design and analyses were grounded on the social environmental framework to understand how various environments shape drink preferences. The sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Two independent coders analyzed the data using an inductive approach to categorize texts according to recurring themes, concepts, and terms. Data were analyzed separately for each age group and language preference. After inter-rater agreement was achieved, final codes and sub-codes were defined in a coding dictionary. All transcribed discussions were entered into the software Atlas.ti and coded using the developed coding dictionary. Results: Beverage behaviors and preferences depended on (a) availability of water and other drinks, (b) perceived health benefits, (c) level of thirst, and (d) perceptions of taste and safety. There were no major differences in recurrent themes across age groups. Availability: Youth described that they preferred to drink bottled water at home, since this was what their parents made available to them. At school, however, most youth preferred chocolate milk, which is what was most available to them at lunch time. Youth described that they would not drink fountain water because it did not taste good, and that other forms of water were not available in the cafeteria. Older youth reported that water was often unavailable in vending machines at school. Perceived health benefits: Youth preferred to drink water to be attractive and to have energy. Concepts emerged around topics related to water makes you run, and athletes that drink water. Reactions to promotional messages that use celebrities were positive, but they did remark that some Latino celebrities endorse soda. Level of thirst: When really thirsty, youth preferred to drink water and only water to quench their thirst. They also recounted preferring water when it is hot outside. Promotional materials with these concepts received positive reactions. Taste and safety of tap water: Tap water was considered unsafe and distasteful both at home and at school. Having both English and Spanish represented in branding and slogans was considered important. Promotional materials were considered appealing if they were visually interesting, included a celebrity or an athlete, and were informative about water. Conclusions: A bilingual school- and home-based water promotion intervention that highlights (a) the health benefits of drinking water, (b) the power of water to quench true thirst, and (c) the safety, taste and benefits of drinking tap water is a promising strategy to target some of the barriers around drinking water behaviors among Latino immigrant youth

Residents’ Insights on Their Local Food Environment and Dietary Behaviors: A Cross-City Comparison Using Photovoice in Spain

Perceptions of local food environments and the ability of citizens to engage in participatory research may vary, even if participants share similar cultural and socioeconomic contexts. In this study, we aimed to describe participants’ narratives about their local food environment in two cities in Spain. We used the participatory methodology of Photovoice to engage participants in Madrid (n = 24) and Bilbao (n = 17) who took and discussed photographs about their local food environment (Madrid; n = 163 and Bilbao; n = 70). Common themes emerged across both cities (food insecurity, poverty, use of public spaces for eating and social gathering, cultural diversity and overconsumption of unhealthy foods); however, in Bilbao citizens perceived that there was sufficient availability of healthy foods despite that living in impoverished communities. Photovoice was a useful tool to engage participating citizens to improve their local food environments in both cities. This new approach allowed for a photovoice cross-city comparison that could be useful to fully understand the complexity and diversity of residents’ perceptions regardless of their place of residence.This research was funded by The European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013/ERC Starting Grant Heart Healthy Hoods Agreement no. 336893) and the University of the Basque Country (16/35, 2016). “The Photovoice project in Madrid was co-funded by an “Ignacio Hernando de Llarramendi” research grant 2014 of the MAPFRE Foundation”

Alia Looking Down

Oil painting.https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/artshow_gallery_2014/1092/thumbnail.jp

Barranquitas

Oil painting.https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/artshow_gallery_2014/1093/thumbnail.jp

Alia in Oleo

Oil painting.https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/artshow_gallery_2014/1091/thumbnail.jp

Eye

Oil painting.https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/artshow_gallery_2014/1094/thumbnail.jp

Pond

Oil painting.https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/artshow_gallery_2014/1095/thumbnail.jp

Socio-demographic, behavioral, and health correlates of nutrition transition dietary indicators in San Juan, Puerto Rico

OBJECTIVE: To identify socio-demographic, behavioral, and health-related correlates of food preferences in Puerto Rico that will help determine Caribbean-region populations vulnerable to nutrition transition. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 858 adults residing in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico were analyzed. Multivariable ordinal logistic regressions were used to model the frequency of consumption of 1) fruits and vegetables, 2) tubers/starchy root vegetables, 3) fried foods, and 4) Western-style fast foods as a function of socio-demographic, behavioral, and health-related characteristics. RESULTS: Higher frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables was associated with being physically active and older and having a medium to high level of education, whereas intake of tubers was associated with being older, having a low income, not using government insurance, and having elevated levels of triglycerides. Frequency of consumption of fast food was associated with younger age, higher income, 12-15 years of formal education, and a higher body mass index (BMI), whereas frequency of consumption of fried food was associated with being younger and male, not being a smoker, and having elevated levels of fasting blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a nutrition transition in Puerto Rico with health consequences for the Caribbean region. The characteristics of this nutrition transition seem to be determined by income, education, and age, but may also be dictated by access to various food groups. These results set the stage for needed investigation of environmental and individual-level factors that could shape patterns in food consumption