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Prevalence and socio-demographic distributions of meeting RMI Guidelines for Healthy Living among elementary school children in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands: a cross-sectional population-based survey

Childhood obesity is high in Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI). We report the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of selected obesity-related risk factors among children in Majuro, RMI. Sixteen elementary schools were approached and students and parents in Grades 1, 3, and 5 invited to pa...

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Published in:The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific 2023-08, Vol.37, p.100783-100783, Article 100783
Main Authors: Smith, Tanner, Chong, Kar Hau, Cross, Penny, Ipil, Maybelline, Eliou, Pranson, Novotny, Rachel, Okely, Anthony D.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Childhood obesity is high in Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI). We report the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of selected obesity-related risk factors among children in Majuro, RMI. Sixteen elementary schools were approached and students and parents in Grades 1, 3, and 5 invited to participate in this cross-sectional population-based survey. Accelerometry and a questionnaire were used to collect data on children's physical activity (PA), sleep, screen time and dietary behaviours. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects logistic regression were used to examine differences in the proportions of children meeting selected RMI Healthy Living Guidelines by sex, school grade and school sector. Thirteen schools and 958 children were recruited, of which 892 (52.2% girls; mean age 9.3 ± 1.8 years) provided useable data. Around 90% met the PA, 29% screen time, 13% sleep, 69% sugar-sweetened beverage and 56% highly processed food guidelines. The proportion meeting individual guidelines was higher among children in Grade 1 compared with Grade 5. Being a girl (0.27; 95% CI 0.16, 0.46) was associated with lower odds of meeting the PA recommendation. Compared with children from Grade 1, those in Grade 5 had lower odds of meeting the PA (0.28; 95% CI 0.15, 0.55), screen time (0.60; 95% CI 0.40, 0.89), sleep duration (0.33; 95% CI 0.18, 0.59), sugar-sweetened beverage (0.35; 95% CI 0.23, 0.53), and consumption of highly processed foods recommendations (0.49; 95% CI 0.33, 0.72). While most children in RMI are adequately active, resources are needed to promote healthier levels of screen time, sleep, sugar-sweetened beverage and highly processed food consumption, especially among older children. This study was funded by World Diabetes Foundation; Canvasback Missions, RMI; NHMRC Australia (APP1176858); Pacific Community.
ISSN:2666-6065
2666-6065
DOI:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100783